icd 10 code for disc protrusion of lumbar disc

by Dedric Schuppe 9 min read

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.

What is diagnosis code M51 26?

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

What is protrusion disk?

Disc protrusion (also called a bulging disc) is a common back injury that affects intervertebral discs in the spinal column. Intervertebral discs separate vertebrae and provide cushioning, support, movement, and shock absorption in the spine. They're made up of a tough outer ring enclosing a soft, jelly-like nucleus.

What is the difference between disc extrusion and protrusion?

Terminology. disc protrusion is distinguished from a disc extrusion in that the base of protruded disc material is wider than its 'dome'; furthermore, this protruded disc material must not extend above or below the disc level.

What does diagnosis code M51 16 mean?

16 Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region.

What is disc protrusion at L4 L5?

Bulging, herniated, protruded, and prolapsed discs are medical terms implying a slipped disc or slipped disc—an L4-L5 slip-disc results when the spinal disc at L4-L5 degenerates or wears out. The most common site for spinal disc degeneration, disc bulge, and the slipped disc is the L4-L5 segment.

What is a L4 L5 and L5-S1 disc protrusion?

The most common levels for a herniated disc are L4-5 and L5-S1. The onset of symptoms is characterized by a sharp, burning, stabbing pain radiating down the posterior or lateral aspect of the leg, to below the knee. Pain is generally superficial and localized, and is often associated with numbness or tingling.

How serious is a disc protrusion?

Many cases of protruding discs heal naturally with rest and conservative measures. However, disc protrusions that continue to degenerate and press on the spinal cord or nerve roots cause significant pain, weakness, numbness and loss of movement that may require surgery to treat.

What are the 4 categories of disc herniation?

Disc herniation is pathologically divided into 4 stages of herniated nucleus pulposus: 1) bulging, 2) protrusion, 3) extrusion, 4) sequestration. The aim of this study is to analyze the correlation between the type and severity of degenerative changes in the spine and the incidence of neurological deficits.

What is a focal disc protrusion?

A bulge involves more than half of the circumference of an intervertebral disc (greater than 180 degrees) whereas a disc herniation involves less than half. A focal disc protrusion occur when its base involves less than 90 degrees of the disc circumference.

What is ICD-10 code M48 062?

062 Spinal Stenosis Lumbar Region with Neurogenic Claudication.

What is G89 29 diagnosis?

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 .

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."

How serious is a disc protrusion?

Many cases of protruding discs heal naturally with rest and conservative measures. However, disc protrusions that continue to degenerate and press on the spinal cord or nerve roots cause significant pain, weakness, numbness and loss of movement that may require surgery to treat.

How do you treat a disc protrusion?

Treatment with rest, pain medication, spinal injections, and physical therapy is the first step to recovery. Most people improve in 6 weeks and return to normal activity. If symptoms continue, surgery may be recommended.

How do you fix a disc protrusion?

The most common procedure used to treat a single herniated disk is microdiskectomy. The procedure is done through a small incision at the level of the disk herniation and often involves the use of a microscope.

What can you do for a disc protrusion?

A herniated disc is frequently treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, if the pain is only mild to moderate. An epidural steroid injection may be performed utilizing a spinal needle under X-ray guidance to direct the medication to the exact level of the disc herniation.

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.

What is the 5th character of a disc?

9 = unspecified disc disorder. The fifth character provides detail about the anatomical location within the spinal region. A basic knowledge of spinal anatomy should make fifth-character selection easy, but only if it is documented properly. This includes transitionary regions.

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.

What is the ICD code for lumbar disc displacement?

Code is only used for patients 15 years old or older. M51.26 is a billable ICD code used to specify a diagnosis of other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region.

What is a slipped disc?

Spinal disc herniation, also known as a slipped disc, is a medical condition affecting the spine in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring of an intervertebral disc allows the soft, central portion to bulge out beyond the damaged outer rings. Disc herniation is usually due to age-related degeneration of the anulus fibrosus, although trauma, lifting injuries, or straining have been implicated. Tears are almost always postero-lateral in nature owing to the presence of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the spinal canal. This tear in the disc ring may result in the release of inflammatory chemical mediators, which may directly cause severe pain, even in the absence of nerve root compression.

Can a tear in the disc ring cause pain?

This tear in the disc ring may result in the release of inflammatory chemical mediators, which may directly cause severe pain, even in the absence of nerve root compression. A spinal disc herniation demonstrated via MRI.

Known As

Lumbar disc protrusion is also known as disorder of lumbar intervertebral disc with myelopathy, herniation lumbar intervertebral disc, herniation of lumbar disc w myelopathy, intervertebral disc disorder of lumbar region with myelopathy, intervertebral disc disorders w myelopathy, intervertebral disc disorders w myelopathy of lumbosacral spine, lumbar disc disorder w myelopathy, lumbar disc prolapse with myelopathy, and lumbosacral intervertebral disk disorder with myelopathy..

Lumbar Disc Protrusion Definition and Symptoms

Lumbar disc protrusion is when a disc in the spinal cord forms a pouch that presses against the nerves. The lumbar disc affects the leg and causes leg pain, numbness in the leg, lower back pain, loss of bladder or bowel control, pain in the buttock, tingling in the leg, and sciatica.

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