S76.11 Strain of quadriceps muscle, fascia and tendon

ICD-10-CM S76.11: Strain of quadriceps muscle, fascia and tendon

ICD-10-CM code S76.11 designates a strain of the quadriceps muscle, fascia, and tendon, classified as an injury or poisoning concept. Clinical literature indicates quadriceps muscle strains involve fiber disruption at the musculotendinous junction or myofascial surface, often evaluated with imaging to define injury location and size. The provided sources do not establish specific encounter modifiers or payer coverage rules for this code. 3 1 2

What this code represents

ICD-10-CM code S76.11 represents the diagnosis of a strain of the quadriceps muscle, fascia, and tendon, and is formally classified under the semantic type of injury or poisoning. 3

Plain-language overview

A muscle strain involves disruption of muscle fibers at the musculotendinous junction or myofascial interface, which are vulnerable points in the muscle-tendon unit subjected to excessive eccentric loading. 1

Clinical context

The quadriceps muscles converge distally to insert on the superior pole of the patella via the trilaminar quadriceps tendon, an anatomical structure relevant to injuries at this location. 2

Imaging modalities assist in defining the exact location of a muscle strain injury within the muscle, the size of muscle disruption at the tear site, and the longitudinal length and cross-sectional area of muscle edema. 1

Documentation considerations

Clinical documentation for S76.11 links the diagnosis to objective findings, time course, and a plan of care, while also noting the encounter type as not otherwise specified. 4

Differential diagnosis considerations for this diagnosis include condition-specific mimics around muscle-tendon strain care, alongside high-risk alternatives such as occult fracture, vascular compromise, nerve injury, infection, and referred pain syndromes. 4

What the sources add

While S3 establishes the formal diagnostic label and semantic classification for S76.11, S1 and S2 provide operational clinical context regarding the anatomical structures and imaging features of lower extremity muscle strains. 3 1 2

The clinical literature in S1 and S2 discusses lower extremity muscle injuries broadly, whereas S4 provides coding guidance specifically advising clinicians to link S76.11 to objective findings and a proportionate diagnostic workup. 1 2 4

Coverage and utilization context

A clinical guide notes that prognosis for S76.11 is influenced by injury severity, comorbidities, treatment timeliness, and follow-up quality, but the provided sources do not establish payer-specific coverage criteria. 4

Sources

1. Imaging of muscle injury in the elite athlete — pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
2. Traumatic injuries of thigh and calf muscles in athletes: role and clinical relevance of MR imaging and ultrasound — pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
3. EVS Explore — evsexplore.semantics.cancer.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
4. Strain Of Quadriceps Muscle, Fascia And Tendon | ICD-10-CM S76.11 Clinical Guide — sprypt.com; accessed 2026-07-25.
5. ICD-10-CM 2024 | S76 - Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at hip and thigh level — unboundmedicine.com; accessed 2026-07-25.