2019 icd 10 code for lumbar disc bulge with radiculopathy

by Camilla Moen 4 min read

Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region. M51. 16 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

What is treatment for lumbar disc disease?

  • Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications. Aspirin (Bayer), ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen (Aleve) are common pain medications that can relieve inflammation that contributes to discomfort, stiffness, and nerve root irritation. ...
  • Prescription pain medications. ...
  • Heat and ice. ...
  • Manual manipulation. ...
  • Massage therapy. ...

What are the symptoms of lumbar disc displacement?

Spinal disc displacement most often occurs in the lumbar spine or lower back. Symptoms of lumbar disc displacement can include: sharp pain in the lower back ; leg pain and weakness; extreme pain in the hips or buttocks; numbness from the buttocks down to the foot or any portion of that area; and foot drop, which is “the inability to lift the ...

What are the symptoms of a lumbar herniated disc?

These are the most common symptoms of lumbar disk disease:

  • Intermittent or continuous back pain. ...
  • Spasm of the back muscles
  • Sciatica – pain that starts near the back or buttock and travels down the leg to the calf or into the foot
  • Muscle weakness in the legs
  • Numbness in the leg or foot
  • Decreased reflexes at the knee or ankle
  • Changes in bladder or bowel function

What is degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine?

Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease. Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease, also known as Lumbar Spondylosis, means changes in the intervertebral disc due to ageing and wear and tear. This is a physiologic process of normal ageing of the disc. In this ageing process, the disc loses its hydration or the water content and desiccates over a period of ...

What is the ICD-10 code for lumbar disc disease with radiculopathy?

ICD-10 Code for Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region- M51. 16- Codify by AAPC.

What is the ICD-10 code for lumbar radiculopathy 2021?

16.

How do you code a bulging disc?

A disc described as "bulging" without further specification as to the cause of the bulging should not be coded as a displacement, but, like other observations of uncertain significance as 722.9 "other and unspecified disc disorder" or as 793.7, "nonspecific abnormal findings on radiographic examination" ( ...

What is lumbar radiculopathy M54 16?

Lumbar radiculopathy is an inflammation of a nerve root in the lower back, which causes symptoms of pain or irritation in the back and down the legs. This condition usually involves the sciatic nerve and therefore is also called sciatica.

Is M54 5 and M54 50 the same?

The current code, M54. 5 (Low back pain), will be expanded into three more specific codes: M54. 50 (Low back pain, unspecified)

What code can I use instead of M54 5?

Here are some potential code replacements that you can use beginning October 1: S39. 012, Low back strain. M51.

What is the ICD 10 code for lumbar bulging disc?

M51. 26 - Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region | ICD-10-CM.

What is the ICD 10 code for bulging disc?

Other intervertebral disc displacement, thoracolumbar region The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM M51. 25 became effective on October 1, 2021.

Is a bulging disc the same as a herniated disc?

"A bulging disc is like letting air out of a car tire. The disc sags and looks like it is bulging outward. With a herniated disc, the outer covering of the disc has a hole or tear. This causes the nucleus pulposus (jelly-like center of the disc) to leak into the spinal canal."

What is lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy?

The herniated disc, or displaced disc, can compress a nerve exiting the spine (branch of the spinal cord). When disc herniation leads to compression of an exiting nerve, this condition is referred to as radiculopathy.

Can a bulging disc cause radiculopathy?

Herniated Discs One common cause of foraminal stenosis and radiculopathy is a bulging or herniated disc. Spinal discs act as cushions between your vertebrae.

What does diagnosis code m54 9 mean?

9: Dorsalgia, unspecified.

What is disc bulge in L4 and L5?

A lumbar bulging disc occurs in the lower levels of the spine typically at L4-5 and L5-S1. It may be associated with a disc herniation. The bulging disc is a desiccation of the disc that may occur with the aging process or with injury. The L4-5 and L5-S1 discs are the most commonly affected.

What is a L5-S1 disc bulge?

A herniated disc at lumbar segment 5 and sacral segment 1 (L5-S1) usually causes S1 nerve impingement. In addition to sciatica, this type of herniated disc can lead to weakness when standing on the toes. Numbness and pain can radiate down into the sole of the foot and the outside of the foot. See L5-S1 Treatment.

What is L5-S1 posterior disc bulge?

A herniated L5-S1 disc can press and impinge nerves and the spinal cord. This compression can lead to discomfort, aches and pains in the back, buttocks, hips, thighs, leg feet, or toes. It may also cause numbness, tingling and weakness in thighs, legs, knees, ankles, feet, or toes.

What is L3 L4 disc bulge?

L3/L4. This refers to the disc that is situated between Lumbar bones 3 and 4. Learn more about L3L4 Symptoms. Pain: You may feel sharp shooting pain on the inside of the lower leg usually from below the knee to the top of the big toe.

What is the T12-L1 code?

Though it is not specifically mentioned, “thoracolumbar” likely only includes T12-L1, and “lumbosacral” probably only refers to the L5-S1 interspace. There is a strange rule for cervical disc disorders indicating that you should code to the most superior level of the disorder.

What character is used for disc disorders?

Only use the fourth character “9” for unspecified disc disorders if the documentation does not indicate anything more than the presence of a disc problem. But beware, payors are expected to ask for clarification if unspecified or “NOS” codes are used.

Can a spinal disc be coded?

These spinal disc codes appear to be a bit complex, but with some study and evaluation, the logic used to create them becomes clear. The provider can use the codes to guide proper documentation and the coder then can select the right codes with confidence.

Is sciatica a code for lumbar radiculopathy?

It is already included in the code. Likewise, don’t code sciatica (M54.3-) if you code for lumbar disc with radiculopathy. It would be redundant. On a side note, lumbar radiculopathy (M54.16) might be used if pain is not yet known to be due a disc, but it radiates from the lumbar spine.

When You Need a Lumbar Discectomy Surgery 101

A lumbar discectomy surgery 101 is considered a “decompression” spinal surgery. A discectomy is sometimes called “herniated disc surgery.” If you are one of them who have a lumbar herniated disc (a fractured disc in your lower spine) and your doctor has advised for surgery, possibilities are you will be developing a lumbar discectomy.

What Does Discectomy Surgery Seem Like?

When it comes to discectomy surgery, the ruptured portion (nucleus pulposus) that is rubbing against your vertebrae and spine is removed. This means that your orthopedic spine specialist will require ingress to your lower spinal part in the middle of the procedure.

Why ICD 10 Code is Used

The ICD 10 CM code (M51.16) can also be used to clarify conditions or terms like the addressing of herniation of intervertebral lumbar disc with sciatica, numbness or tingling of the lumbar spine, nucleus pulposus herniation, herniation of core pulposus of the lumbar intervertebral disc, lumbago with sciatica, lumbar disc prolapse with radiculopathy, and so on.

What is Intervertebral Disc Displacement?

Lumbar disc herniation is a bone rupture of the annulus fibrosis (fibrocartilagenous material) that encompasses the intervertebral disc. This fracture involves removing the disc's central part containing a gelatinous material termed the nucleus pulposus.

Can a Chiropractor Treat Lumbar Herniated Disc

In the case of a lumbar herniated disc, a spine chiropractor can help decrease the pain triggered by a herniated disc. Chiropractic treatment techniques for the lumbar herniated disc include spinal manipulation, physical therapy, and muscle-building exercises.