S40-S49: Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm

S41: Open wound of shoulder and upper arm

The S41 ICD-10 grouping is inclusive of conditions related to open wounds of the shoulder and upper arm. These comprise injuries that break the skin's continuity, causing damage to the underlying tissue in the mentioned region. The causes of these injuries could be numerous – from falls, sharp objects, accidents, or even surgical procedures. Symptoms commonly associated with this grouping include pain, swelling, potential loss of function in the affected area, and visual deformity where the tissue and body fluids are exposed. Bleeding, depending on the severity, could be considerable. If not immediately attended to, these wounds expose the body to serious infection risks. Over time, wounds that don't heal properly may form scar tissue, affecting the range of motion or potentially causing chronic pain.