M25.522 – Pain in left elbow

M25.522 – Pain in left elbow

The ICD-10-CM code M25.522 is for diagnosing a patient with pain in their left elbow. Learn what this code entails, from its clinical information, if it’s billable or not, FAQs, and even related ICD-10 codes by reading this short guide.

By Joshua Napilay on Jul 16, 2025.

Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.

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M25.522 – Pain in left elbow

The M25.522 is an ICD code included in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), and it is used to designate “pain in left elbow.”

The ICD-10 code's designation is straightforward. It means that the patient is dealing with left elbow pain. This pain can either be acute or chronic.

The former is a type of acute pain that arises suddenly due to injury, inflammation, or a disease affecting the elbow. This type of pain may subside after a short while, especially if the patient undergoes the necessary treatment; however, there is a chance that the acute pain may evolve into chronic pain, a type of pain that tends to persist for an extended period. If chronic pain is left unchecked for too long, it can result in unfavorable outcomes.

Is the M25.522 billable?

Yes, the M25.522 ICD code is billable and can be used to designate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The code M25.522 is classified under the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue disorders.

M25.522 clinical information

Just so you know, the M25.522 designation is just a general diagnosis. "Pain in left elbow" could indicate any number of elbow problems the patient might be experiencing, but it doesn't specify any particular issue. It just identifies the general location of the pain.

The pain can be caused by tendinitis, which is often triggered by sudden movements or overuse. If a patient participates in activities that involve a lot of elbow movement, they're likely to get tendinitis.

Pain can even be caused by terrible injuries like the dislocation of the elbow, fractures, and other unfavorable ailments your patient hopefully doesn't have.

To get to the bottom of what is causing the pain in their left elbow, you should conduct a comprehensive exam to figure out the specific problem causing the pain and make the necessary diagnosis. Your treatment will depend on what problem is identified and confirmed through proper diagnosis. Do they simply need pain relievers? Do they need a cast because the elbow got dislocated or is broken? Do they need surgery? A comprehensive examination should answer those questions.

M25.522 synonyms include

  • Pain in elbow
  • Elbow joint pain
  • Pain of left elbow joint
  • Bilateral elbow joint pain
  • Elbow pain
  • Left elbow pain

Other ICD-10 codes commonly used for elbow pain

When using this ICD-10-CM code, it's also important to consider other joint disorder or acquired deformities:

  • M25.52 - Pain in elbow
  • M25.521 - Pain in right elbow
  • M25.529 - Pain in unspecified elbow
  • M25.02 - Hemarthrosis, elbow
  • M25.021 - Hemarthrosis, right elbow
  • M25.022 - Hemarthrosis, left elbow
  • M25.029 - Hemarthrosis, unspecified elbow
  • M25.12 - Fistula, elbow
  • M25.121 - Fistula, right elbow
  • M25.122 - Fistula, left elbow
  • M25.129 - Fistula, unspecified elbow

Other ICD-10 codes commonly used for elbow pain

  • M25.52 - Pain in elbow
  • M25.521 - Pain in right elbow
  • M25.529 - Pain in unspecified elbow
  • M25.02 - Hemarthrosis, elbow
  • M25.021 - Hemarthrosis, right elbow
  • M25.022 - Hemarthrosis, left elbow
  • M25.029 - Hemarthrosis, unspecified elbow
  • M25.12 - Fistula, elbow
  • M25.121 - Fistula, right elbow
  • M25.122 - Fistula, left elbow
  • M25.129 - Fistula, unspecified elbow
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