M75.121 – Complete Rotator Cuff Tear or Rupture of Right Shoulder, Not Specified as Traumatic

M75.121 diagnosis code: Complete rotator cuff tear or rupture of right shoulder, not specified as traumatic

M75.121 denotes a complete rotator cuff tear or rupture of the right shoulder when the injury is not classified as traumatic. This code is used to designate a medical diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

This condition typically involves a full-thickness tear of one or more of the tendons in the rotator cuff, and is commonly due to degenerative changes or repetitive overuse, rather than sudden injury.

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint, keeping the head of the upper arm bone firmly within the shoulder's shallow socket. A rotator cuff tear or rupture occurs when one or more of these tendons are torn, resulting in shoulder pain and reduced mobility.

A tear or rupture not specified as traumatic is likely caused by age-related wear and tear or degeneration.

Is M75.121 billable?

M75.121 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code that can be used in HIPAA-covered transactions. It is specific enough to support reimbursement claims and documentation for clinical care.

Clinical information

A complete rotator cuff tear occurs when one or more of the tendons connecting the rotator cuff muscles to the upper arm bone (humerus) are fully torn, leading to shoulder weakness and limited range of motion.

This condition may develop gradually due to chronic overuse, aging, or degenerative soft tissue disorders. It is commonly seen in patients who engage in repetitive overhead movements or heavy lifting. The right shoulder is more frequently affected in right-handed individuals.

Key clinical features:

• Persistent shoulder pain, especially at night
• Weakness in the right arm
• Limited or painful arm movements
• Difficulty lifting or rotating the arm
• Clicking or popping sensations in the shoulder joint
• Associated conditions like adhesive capsulitis, bursitis, or other soft tissue disorders

Diagnosis is usually confirmed using imaging tests such as MRI, ultrasound, or X-rays, which help evaluate the extent of the tear and rule out other shoulder lesions.

Non-traumatic rotator cuff tears are often due to a wearing down of the tendon that occurs slowly over time, often related to aging. Treatment for this condition may include physical therapy, steroid injections, or surgical intervention, depending on the severity of the tear.

Synonyms include

• Full thickness tear of right rotator cuff, nontraumatic
• Nontraumatic complete tear of right rotator cuff
• Right rotator cuff full thickness rupture
• Right shoulder rotator cuff complete tear
• Complete tear of right shoulder rotator cuff

Other ICD-10 codes commonly used for shoulder pain

• M75.111 - Incomplete rotator cuff tear or rupture of right shoulder, not specifiied as traumatic
• M75.112 - Incomplete rotator cuff tear or rupture of left shoulder, not specifiied as traumatic
• M75.21 - Bicipital tendinitis
• M75.40 - Adhesive capsulitis of unspecified shoulder
• M75.51 - Bursitis of right shoulder
• M75.52 - Bursitis of left shoulder
• M75.81 - Other shoulder lesions, right shoulder
• M75.82 - Other shoulder lesions, left shoulder