Pain in thoracic spine. 2016 2017 2018 2019 Billable/Specific Code. M54.6 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2019 edition of ICD-10-CM M54.6 became effective on October 1, 2018.
Selecting the correct ICD-10 code for disc disorders can take a little bit of research. There are many options found in the M50 and M51 categories, which are: M51- Thoracic, Thoracolumbar, and Lumbosacral Intervertebral Disc Disorders The fifth character provides detail about the anatomical location within the spinal region.
Traumatic rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc, init encntr; Traumatic lumbar disc rupture; Traumatic rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M51.26 [convert to ICD-9-CM] Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region
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 2021 edition of ICD-10-CM M51.36 became effective on October 1, 2020.
M51. 26 Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
6: Pain in thoracic spine.
Displacement, Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Without Myelopathy Displacement describes the nucleus pulposus pushing through the annulus and deforming the disc. A well-localized deformation of the disc is also referred to as a protrusion or herniation.
ICD-10-CM Code for Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region M51. 16.
M54. 6 - Pain in thoracic spine | ICD-10-CM.
For starters, dorsalgia is severe back pain, which could be coming from different parts of the spine. Depending on the specific section of the spine where the pain is coming from, there are six types of dorsalgia.
Doctors typically classify thoracic herniated discs as being caused by either one of two sources: Degenerative disc disease. Many thoracic herniated discs occur from gradual wear and tear on the disc, which leads to settling of the vertebral bodies and calcification about the disc space. Trauma to the upper back.
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.
Pain is the most common symptom of a thoracic herniated disc and may be isolated to the upper back or radiate in a dermatomal (single nerve root) pattern. Thoracic back pain may be exacerbated when coughing or sneezing.
"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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.