S96.819 Strain of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level, unspecified foot

ICD-10-CM S96.819: Strain of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level, unspecified foot

ICD-10-CM code S96.819 identifies a strain of other specified muscles and tendons at the ankle and foot level for an unspecified foot. The terminology record classifies this concept under the semantic type of Injury or Poisoning. This code is active for the 2026 version and serves as a diagnostic label. 1 4

Plain-language overview

This diagnosis code represents an injury involving a strain of specific muscles and tendons located at the ankle and foot level, but the documentation does not specify whether the left or right foot is affected. 1

What this code represents

The official preferred name for S96.819 is strain of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level, unspecified foot, and the concept carries the semantic type of Injury or Poisoning. 1 4

Within the ICD-10-CM hierarchy, S96.819 is a child concept of S96.81, which broadly covers strains of other specified muscles and tendons at the ankle and foot level. 1

Coding details

The S96.819 terminology record indicates that this code has no narrower child concepts within the terminology system, meaning it is not further subdivided into more specific diagnostic codes. 1

Related codes in the same category provide different specificities, such as S96.812A for a right foot sequela and another code for a left foot sequela, contrasting with the unspecified foot designation of S96.819. 5 6

Documentation considerations

Clinical literature notes that foot and ankle disorders can involve damage to anatomical structures including muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which informs the clinical context for documenting such injuries. 3

Coverage and utilization context

Payer databases list related diagnosis codes like S96.812A alongside medical necessity guidelines, demonstrating that such specific strain diagnoses appear within utilization management frameworks. 5

What the sources add

While the terminology record defines S96.819 as an active 2026 diagnosis, statistical reporting frameworks classify muscle and tendon injuries separately from sprains and strains of ligaments to ensure accurate injury surveillance. 1 2

The official terminology record establishes the precise label and hierarchical status of S96.819, whereas clinical research literature describes the broader anatomical complexities and functional impacts of foot and ankle muscle or tendon damage. 1 3

Sources

1. ICD-10-CM S96.819 terminology record — National Cancer Institute Enterprise Vocabulary Services; accessed 2026-07-27.
2. National Health Statistics Reports — cdc.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
3. Foot and Ankle Disorders in Nurses Exposed to Prolonged Standing Environments: A Scoping Review — pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
4. EVS Explore — evsexplore.semantics.cancer.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
5. MCD Search — cms.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
6. MCD Search — cms.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.