
ICD-10 code M25.511 is used to describe maximum situations of pain, especially in the right shoulder. Healthcare providers use this code to document patient symptoms when pain exists, but the exact underlying cause has not yet been identified.
Correct use of this code ensures accurate medical documentation, smooth billing, and proper insurance claim processing.
The M25.511 diagnosis code refers to pain localized in the right shoulder without specifying the root cause. Physicians apply this ICD-10 code when a patient complains of shoulder pain. Still, diagnostic tests have not confirmed whether it is due to a rotator cuff tear, arthritis, bursitis, or other shoulder conditions.
This code helps establish the patient’s condition in early visits, before a more specific diagnosis is available.
Here’s a basic association of right shoulder pain vs. rotator cuff tear codes in ICD-10:
ICD-10 Code | Meaning | When It’s Appropriate | Related Options |
M25.511 | Pain in the right shoulder | Used when the patient has shoulder pain without a confirmed diagnosis | M25.512 (Left shoulder pain), M25.519 (Unspecified shoulder pain) |
M75.101 | Rotator cuff tear – right shoulder (unspecified type) | Applied when the pain is confirmed to be from a rotator cuff injury | M75.111 (Incomplete tear, right shoulder) |
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Healthcare providers apply this code in situations such as:
Once tests confirm the cause (like arthritis, bursitis, or rotator cuff tears), the ICD-10 code must be updated to reflect the accurate condition
Using the correct code matters because insurers require clinical accuracy for claim approvals.
Right shoulder discomfort can come from different conditions, including:
Correct ICD-10 medical coding ensures that the medical record reflects whether the pain is just a symptom (M25.511) or tied to a diagnosed disorder (e.g., M75.101).
Tip: Always update the diagnosis code as soon as a clearer condition is identified.
ICD-10 code M25.511 is used to record right shoulder pain when the exact cause has not yet been identified. It allows providers to capture symptoms accurately, supports correct billing, and ensures insurance compliance. Once the underlying issue, such as a rotator cuff tear, bursitis, or arthritis, is identified, the diagnosis should be updated to a more specific ICD-10 code.
By applying the M25.511 diagnosis code correctly, clinicians maintain accurate medical records while giving patients a clear path toward diagnosis and treatment.
Need help with musculoskeletal and orthopedic billing?
Contact Cures Medical Billing for expert support on ICD-10 codes like M25.511 (Right Shoulder Pain), M25.512, and M75.101. We ensure your claims are coded correctly — so you get reimbursed fully and on time.
It refers to pain in the right shoulder without identifying the underlying cause.
Yes, but if the pain is clearly due to a chronic condition such as arthritis, the specific ICD-10 code should be reported instead.
That would be M25.519.
If the pain is caused by a chronic issue like arthritis, use the exact code for that condition instead of M25.511.
Do not use it when the exact cause (fracture, infection, rotator cuff tear) is already confirmed.
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