VA Disability Rating for a Bulging Disc
They may also be pushed out of their usual position between adjacent vertebrae, producing a bulging or herniated disc. The disc between the fifth lumbar vertebra and the first sacral vertebra is called the L5-S1 disc. Because the curve of the spine changes at this location, more stress is placed on this disc than on other discs in the lower back.
The type of pain caused by a bulging disc is a clue to where the abnormal disc is located:
Conditions affecting the L5-S1 spinal motion segment are usually treated with nonsurgical methods. If the lower back and/or leg symptoms worsen or do not improve despite these treatments, or in case of certain medical emergencies, such as tumors or cauda equina syndrome, surgery may be recommended. Treatment of L5-S1 usually begins with:
Other intervertebral disc displacement, thoracolumbar region The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM M51. 25 became effective on October 1, 2021.
Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region M51. 26 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM M51. 26 became effective on October 1, 2021.
ICD-10 Code for Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region- M51. 16- Codify by AAPC. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. Dorsopathies.
"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."
M51. 26 Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
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.
M51. 36 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
ICD-10 code Z98. 890 for Other specified postprocedural states is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Factors influencing health status and contact with health services .
ICD-10 code G89. 29 for Other chronic pain is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Diseases of the nervous system .
The L4-L5 spinal segment is a common cause of acute and chronic lower back pain (backaches). An L4-L5 disc bulge can impinge nerves that run down the legs, causing sciatic-like symptoms. A slipped disc is one of the most common causes of a pinched nerve.
Herniated discs are considered more severe than bulging discs because they put significant pressure on nearby nerves, which can cause intense pain, inflammation and difficulties with movement.
Bulging discs occur when the outer shell becomes weaker, allowing the disc to bulge to one side of the spinal canal, or flatten. You may experience this after an injury to the spinal disc. Bulging discs occur when the outer shell becomes weaker, allowing the disc to bulge to one side of the spinal canal, or flatten.
A bulging disc is a condition in which the nucleus (inner portion) of a spinal disc remains contained within the annulus fibrosus (outer portion), unlike a herniated disc in which the nucleus leaks out of the disc.
The L4-L5 spinal segment is a common cause of acute and chronic lower back pain (backaches). An L4-L5 disc bulge can impinge nerves that run down the legs, causing sciatic-like symptoms. A slipped disc is one of the most common causes of a pinched nerve.
Bulging discs occur when the outer shell becomes weaker, allowing the disc to bulge to one side of the spinal canal, or flatten. You may experience this after an injury to the spinal disc. Bulging discs occur when the outer shell becomes weaker, allowing the disc to bulge to one side of the spinal canal, or flatten.
What Is a Bulging Disc? A bulging disc occurs when the nucleus pulposus—the soft, jelly-like center of the disc that gives the disc shock-absorbing capacities—extends beyond its normal position inside the disc structure, but remains contained within the annulus fibrosus.
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.
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.