M25.511 – Pain In Right Shoulder

M25.511 – Pain In Right Shoulder

M25.511 is the ICD-10 code for right shoulder pain, aiding diagnosis, treatment planning, accurate billing, and patient care for joint or rotator cuff issues.

By Wynona Jugueta on Aug 8, 2025.

Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.

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What is the M25.511 – Pain in Right Shoulder code?

The M25.511 ICD-10 code refers to pain in the right shoulder. This common musculoskeletal complaint may result from various causes, including rotator cuff injury, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), shoulder impingement syndrome, or degenerative changes in the shoulder joint. This diagnosis code helps healthcare providers document and treat shoulder region issues precisely and ensures accurate billing and insurance reimbursement.

Right shoulder joint pain can be triggered by overuse, poor posture, trauma, or systemic conditions. It often presents as motion pain, localized discomfort, or referred pain impacting daily function.

Correctly identifying the underlying cause of pain in the right shoulder is critical for guiding treatment planning, improving patient outcomes, and educating patients about preventative care, such as ergonomic adjustments and proper posture.

Is M25.511 billable?

Yes. The M25.511 ICD-10 code is fully billable for medical billing, practice management software, and documentation for patient encounters. It can be used for an initial or subsequent encounter, or to indicate persistent or worsening symptoms in follow-up visits.

Clinical information

A comprehensive evaluation is essential when a patient presents with right shoulder pain. This may include:

  • Diagnostic imaging (X-ray, MRI, ultrasound) to assess joint integrity, inflammation, or structural damage
  • Functional assessments to determine range of motion and strength limitations
  • Identifying the involvement of the right acromioclavicular joint, rotator cuff, or the presence of acromioclavicular joint pain

Common causes of right shoulder pain

  • Rotator cuff syndrome or tear
  • Shoulder impingement syndrome
  • Right acromioclavicular joint pain
  • Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
  • Tendinitis or bursitis
  • Poor ergonomics or repetitive motion injuries

Treatment options

Once the accurate diagnosis is established, appropriate treatment may include:

  • Physical therapy at specialized physical therapy clinics to restore mobility and reduce joint pain
  • NSAIDs or corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
  • Heat or cold therapy
  • Activity modification and rest
  • Surgical intervention in severe or refractory cases

Early intervention is vital to alleviate pain and prevent chronic limitations or structural damage.

Synonyms include

  • Right shoulder pain
  • Pain in the right shoulder region
  • Right shoulder discomfort
  • Right shoulder ache
  • Sore right shoulder

Other ICD-10 codes commonly used for shoulder pain

Commonly asked questions

Diagnosis code M25.511 indicates pain specifically located in the right shoulder. It allows healthcare providers to document, treat, and bill for shoulder pain that may arise from injury, inflammation, or degenerative joint conditions.

While no ICD-10 code directly names the right sternoclavicular joint, M25.511 – Pain in right shoulder is typically used to capture pain in that anatomical region. This general shoulder pain code covers discomfort involving the sternoclavicular area when no more specific diagnosis is available.

The ICD-10 code most often used for right rotator cuff pain is M75.101 – Unspecified rotator cuff tear or rupture of right shoulder, not specified as traumatic. This code is applied when pain is suspected to originate from the rotator cuff, even without a confirmed injury mechanism.

Related ICDs

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