icd 10 code for acute vertebral fracture

by Boyd McClure 6 min read

Unspecified fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture. S32. 009A 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 S32.

Full Answer

What do doctors do for broken vertebrae?

Treatment can range from conservative treatment — e.g., bracing — to complex surgery to stabilize the vertebrae and protect the spinal cord from additional damage. When someone with suspected broken vertebrae comes into the emergency department, doctors go to work to determine the damage done and to put a treatment plan in place.

What are the symptoms of a femur fracture?

  • Confusion or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment
  • Heavy or uncontrollable bleeding
  • Inability to move the leg
  • Low blood pressure ( hypotension)
  • Protruding fragments of bone through the skin
  • Severe pain

What is vertebral fracture?

What Is Vertebral Fracture? A spinal fracture is a dislocation or fracture of the vertebrae (backbone) and can occur anywhere along the spine. Most spinal fractures are caused from injury or trauma from car accidents, falls, sports or some sort of high velocity impact.

What are the complications of a femur fracture?

  • Infection
  • Injury to nerves and blood vessels
  • Blood clots
  • Fat embolism (bone marrow enters the blood stream and can travel to the lungs; this can also happen from the fracture itself without surgery)
  • Malalignment or the inability to correctly position the broken bone fragments

More items...

image

What is the ICD-10 code for vertebral compression fractures?

In ICD-10-CM, codes for compression and pathologic fractures of the spine (not due to trauma) are located in Chapter 13, Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue. Category M48. 5-, Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classifiable is used for vertebrae fracture where no cause is listed.

What is an acute fracture of the vertebrae?

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) occur when the bony block or vertebral body in the spine collapses, which can lead to severe pain, deformity and loss of height. These fractures more commonly occur in the thoracic spine (the middle portion of the spine), especially in the lower part.

What is the ICD-10 code for l3 fracture?

03.

What is the ICD-10 code for acute l1 compression fracture?

S32. 010A Wedge compression fracture of first lumbar vertebra, init - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.

What is the most common type of vertebral fracture?

The most common type of spine fracture is a vertebral body compression fracture (Fig. 2). Sudden downward force shatters and collapses the body of the vertebrae. If the force is great enough, it may send bone fragments into the spinal canal, called a burst fracture.

Is a fractured vertebrae the same as a broken back?

Overview. A “broken back” is another term to describe a spinal fracture — a break in one or more vertebrae, the 33 bones that form your backbone and protect your spinal cord. A broken back injury can be worrying, but it doesn't necessarily mean that there's damage to the spinal cord.

What is l3 compression fracture?

A spinal compression fracture occurs when the vertebral body in the front of your spine gets compressed due to axial loading. Underlying medical conditions, such as osteoporosis and spinal tumors are common causes for these fractures.

What is the ICD-10 code for thoracic compression fracture?

Wedge compression fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture. S22. 000A 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 S22.

How do you code a compression fracture?

If you have no other documentation about the fracture (e.g. whether this is a pathological or a traumatic fracture), then this would code to category M48. 5 - Compression fracture of vertebra NOS, so I would use M48. 56XA for the lumbar site.

How do you code a fractured vertebrae?

You should consider the exact anatomic location when it comes to coding for collapsed vertebra.M48.52XA: Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, cervical region, initial encounter for fracture.M48.54XA: Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, thoracic region, initial encounter for fracture.More items...•

Is a wedge compression fracture the same as a compression fracture?

The most common type of compression fracture is a wedge fracture, in which the front of the vertebral body collapses but the back does not, meaning that the bone assumes a wedge shape. Sometimes, more than one vertebra fractures, a condition called multiple compression fractures.

What is the difference between a compression fracture and a pathological fracture?

Pathological spine fractures are the result of an underlying disease process that affects the spine. They are called vertebral compression fractures and are common, and frequent in the elderly. They may be caused by osteoporosis, Paget's disease, other diseases and spinal infections (osteomyelitis).

How serious is a fractured vertebrae?

Minor fractures of the spine can be healed with rest and medication, however, more severe fractures might require surgery to realign the bones. If left untreated, spinal fractures can lead to permanent spinal cord injury, nerve damage and paralysis.

How long does it take for a vertebrae fracture to heal?

Vertebral fractures usually take about three months to fully heal. X-rays will probably be taken monthly to check on the healing progress.

How do you treat a fractured vertebrae?

Medical Treatment Most fractures are treated with immobilization in a brace or corset for up to 12 weeks. Bracing helps to reduce pain and prevent deformity.

How do you fix a fractured vertebrae?

The majority of fractures heal with pain medication, reduction in activity, medications to stabilize bone density, and a good back brace to minimize motion during the healing process. Most people return to their everyday activities. Some may need further treatment, such as surgery.

What is the ICd 10 code for a fractured thoracic vertebra?

Fracture of thoracic vertebra 1 S22.0 should not be used for reimbursement purposes as there are multiple codes below it that contain a greater level of detail. 2 The 2021 edition of ICD-10-CM S22.0 became effective on October 1, 2020. 3 This is the American ICD-10-CM version of S22.0 - other international versions of ICD-10 S22.0 may differ.

What is the code for spinal cord injury?

Code to highest level of thoracic spinal cord injury. Injuries to the spinal cord ( S24.0 and S24.1) refer to the cord level and not bone level injury, and can affect nerve roots at and below the level given. Type 2 Excludes.

What is the ICd 10 code for lumbar fracture?

Fracture of second lumbar vertebra 1 S32.02 should not be used for reimbursement purposes as there are multiple codes below it that contain a greater level of detail. 2 The 2021 edition of ICD-10-CM S32.02 became effective on October 1, 2020. 3 This is the American ICD-10-CM version of S32.02 - other international versions of ICD-10 S32.02 may differ.

What is the secondary code for Chapter 20?

Use secondary code (s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code. Type 1 Excludes.

image