Injury of axillary nerve, left arm, initial encounter

This code signifies damage to the axillary nerve in the patient's left arm, which can result from trauma. Such an injury typically manifests as weakness or paralysis of the deltoid and teres minor muscles, leading to difficulty with shoulder abduction and external rotation, along with sensory loss over the lateral aspect of the shoulder.

Apply this code when documenting an acute injury to the left axillary nerve, such as a stretch, compression, or laceration, that is being evaluated or treated for the first time. This is appropriate for initial assessments following events like shoulder dislocations, humeral fractures, or direct blows to the shoulder.

• Ensure laterality is correctly identified as "left arm" for this specific code.
• Confirm this is the patient's initial encounter for this specific injury; subsequent care will require a different seventh character.
• Always code the underlying cause of the injury (e.g., fracture, dislocation) in addition to the nerve damage.