In reality, the term disc protrusion or slipped disc is a ‘catch-all’ term for a range of disc problems where a portion of the disc wall becomes weakened and bulges or ultimately disrupts with the soft “Nucleus Pulposus” extending backwards into the spinal canal and irritating or compressing the descending or exiting nerves.
What's the difference between a protruding disk and a herniated disk? Not too much: They both indicate a disc which may be causing pressure on adjacent nerve structures generally speaking the herniated is worse than the protruding.
ICD-10 code M51. 36 for Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Dorsopathies .
M51. 36 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
To summarize degenerative disc disease takes time the disc is just wearing out, losing the water and gel components that support your back overtime. Herniated disc is where the content is still there it is not drying out it just bulging and causing sometimes a different type of pain.
According to Coding Clinic: “Assign code M16. 0—Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of hip for degenerative changes of hips”. Coding Clinic's rationale is, “ICD-10- CM's Alphabetic Index under “Degeneration, joint disease” instructs “see Osteoarthritis.”
ICD-10 code M51 for Thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Dorsopathies .
Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region M51. 36 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. 36 became effective on October 1, 2021.
Smith: As we age, our discs deteriorate and bulge downward, so bulging discs are usually caused by age-related degeneration. Because it is considered degenerative, there is usually a progressive, gradual onset of symptoms. It can cause pain in the buttocks, legs, or back. It can also affect your ability to walk.
Herniation and protrusion are two words for the same thing. If a piece of the disc breaks off, it's called a sequestered fragment. Surgery is almost always needed for sequestration. The loose piece can enter the spinal canal and put pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots causing serious problems.
Disc protrusion is a common form of spinal disc deterioration that can cause neck and back pain. Changes occurring with the regular aging process are responsible for disc deteriorations, although an injury might speed up the degenerative process.
722.4 is the correct code for degenerative disease of the cervical intervertebral disc. 722.51 is the correct diagnosis code for thoracic degenerative disc disease. 722.52 is the accurate diagnosis code for DDD of the lumbar or lumbosacral intervertebral disc.
How is degenerative disc disease diagnosed? A diagnosis is based on a medical history and a physical examination, as well as the symptoms and the circumstances where the pain started. Magnetic resonance imaging can show damage to discs, but it alone cannot confirm degenerative disc disease.
ICD-10 Code M54. 5 for Chronic Low Back Pain | CareCloud.
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.