When is ICD-10 code S33 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code S33 when recording dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of lumbar spine and pelvis in a standardized format. This entry may also act as a broader category that points toward more specific child codes.

Does ICD-10 code S33 confirm a diagnosis?

No. A code helps standardize documentation and claims, but it should not be read as a substitute for a clinician's full assessment.

ICD10

ICD-10 Code S33: Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of lumbar spine and pelvis

Name: ICD-10 Code S33: Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of lumbar spine and pelvis
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T06:34:05.837Z

S33 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of lumbar spine and pelvis. You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen. ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88).

When is it used?

May be used when a clinician documents dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of lumbar spine and pelvis in a patient's medical record.
May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.

What it does not mean

A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.

Code hierarchy

chapter

19Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)

block

S30-S39Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals

currentS30-S39

Official coding notes

Includes

avulsion of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
traumatic tear of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis

Excludes1 (do not code together)

nontraumatic rupture or displacement of lumbar intervertebral disc NOS (M51.-)
obstetric damage to pelvic joints and ligaments (O71.6)

Excludes2 (may code together if documented)

dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of hip (S73.-)
strain of muscle of lower back and pelvis (S39.01-)

Code also

any associated open wound

7th character notes

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S33
initial encounter
subsequent encounter
sequela

Where you may see this code

You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.

Related specialists

Emergency Medicine SpecialistOrthopedic Specialist

Sibling codes

S30Superficial injury of abdomen, lower back, pelvis and external genitals S31Open wound of abdomen, lower back, pelvis and external genitals S32Fracture of lumbar spine and pelvis S34Injury of lumbar and sacral spinal cord and nerves at abdomen, lower back and pelvis level S35Injury of blood vessels at abdomen, lower back and pelvis level S36Injury of intra-abdominal organs S37Injury of urinary and pelvic organs S38Crushing injury and traumatic amputation of abdomen, lower back, pelvis and external genitals S39Other and unspecified injuries of abdomen, lower back, pelvis and external genitals

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.

Legacy codes

S33

Replacement codes

S33.0 — Traumatic rupture of lumbar intervertebral discS33.2 — Dislocation of sacroiliac and sacrococcygeal jointS33.4 — Traumatic rupture of symphysis pubisS33.5 — Sprain of ligaments of lumbar spineS33.6 — Sprain of sacroiliac jointS33.8 — Sprain of other parts of lumbar spine and pelvisS33.9 — Sprain of unspecified parts of lumbar spine and pelvis

Common synonyms

Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of lumbar spine and pelvis

Frequently asked questions

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.