Compression Fracture Diagnosis. Your doctor will begin to diagnose a possible compression fracture with a physical exam and will check whether your upper spine is hunched forward. You may also receive one or more scans: Bone Density Test (if osteoporosis is suspected) X-ray. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Computed Tomography Scan (CT or CAT scan)
Symptoms include:
The main clinical symptoms of VCFs may include any of the following, alone or in combination:
You’ll likely be advised to rest, since it can take several weeks for a lumbar stress fracture to heal, but this doesn’t mean complete inactivity. Your spine-supporting muscles still need stimulation to remain strong and healthy. Ideally, you should combine rest with proper protection to minimize stress on the affected part of your lower spine.
ICD-10 code Z87. 310 for Personal history of (healed) osteoporosis fracture is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Factors influencing health status and contact with health services .
000A for Wedge compression fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes .
ICD-10 Code for Personal history of (healed) traumatic fracture- Z87. 81- Codify by AAPC.
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.
Wedge compression fracture of second thoracic vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture. S22. 020A 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.
Although all compression fractures have an underlying pathology, the term pathologic vertebral compression fracture (pVCF) is traditionally reserved for fractures that result from primary or metastatic spine tumors.
Personal history of (healed) traumatic fracture Z87. 81 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 Z87. 81 became effective on October 1, 2021.
Treatment of compression fractures may include medicine, rest, a back brace, or physical therapy. Sometimes, surgery is needed. The risk of new fractures can be reduced by doing regular weight-bearing exercises that increase strength, and balance exercises that reduce the risk for falls.
Z codes are for use in any healthcare setting. Z codes may be used as either a first-listed (principal diagnosis code in the inpatient setting) or secondary code, depending on the circumstances of the encounter.
In a compression fracture, the vertebral body collapses. 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.
Wedge compression fracture of third lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture. S32. 030A 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.
ICD-10-CM Code for Wedge compression fracture of first lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32. 010A.
Z87.31 is a non-billable ICD-10 code for Personal history of (healed) nontraumatic fracture. It should not be used for HIPAA-covered transactions as a more specific code is available to choose from below.
DO NOT include the decimal point when electronically filing claims as it may be rejected. Some clearinghouses may remove it for you but to avoid having a rejected claim due to an invalid ICD-10 code, do not include the decimal point when submitting claims electronically.
In osteoporosis, biconcave deformities can also be noted on spinal radiographs ( Fig. 42.2A ). A bone scan may help localize (but not necessarily determine the etiology of) processes such as metastatic cancer, occult fracture, and infection. Spinal imaging, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, may also elucidate further detail (see Fig. 42.2B ). Percutaneous needle biopsy of the affected vertebral body can be helpful diagnostically in selected cases. Laboratory tests are obtained as appropriate. These include a complete blood count and sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein level (which are nonspecific but sensitive indicators of an occult infection or inflammatory disease). Serum alkaline phosphatase, serum and urine protein electrophoresis, and other laboratory tests are beneficial when a malignant neoplasm is suspected. Diagnostic testing is directed, as appropriate, on the basis of the entire clinical presentation, including secondary causes of osteoporosis. Bone densitometry can be performed when the patient is improved clinically.
The patient may experience loss of mobility and independence in activities of daily living and household activities, and there may be an impact on social, avocational, vocational, and psychological functioning. In patients with severe symptoms, hospitalization may be necessary.
A compression fracture is caused by forces transmitted along the vertebral body. The ligaments are intact, and compression fractures are usually stable ( Fig. 42.1 ). Compression fractures in the thoracic vertebrae are commonly seen in osteoporosis with decreased bone mineral density. They may be asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally on radiography. Such fractures may occur with trivial trauma and are usually stable. Pathologic vertebral fractures may occur with metastatic cancer (commonly from lung, breast, or prostate), as well as with other processes affecting vertebrae. Trauma, such as a fall from a height or a motor vehicle accident, can also result in thoracic compression fracture. Considerable force is required to fracture healthy vertebrae, which are resistant to compression. In such cases, the force required to produce a fracture may cause extension of fracture components into the spinal canal with neurologic findings. There may be evidence of additional trauma, such as calcaneal fractures from a fall. Multiple thoracic compression fractures, as seen with osteoporosis, can produce a kyphotic deformity. An estimated 1.5 million vertebral compression fractures occur annually in the United States, with 25% of postmenopausal women affected in their lifetime. Estimates indicate that there are 44 million persons with osteoporosis and 34 million with low bone mass in the United States. Existence of vertebral compression fracture increases the risk of future vertebral compression fractures (with one fracture, there is a 5-fold increase; with two or more fractures, there is a 12-fold increase).
Awareness of potential complications related to the fracture, as well as those resulting from treatment, is necessary to optimize outcomes in patients with thoracic compression fractures.
It may be severe, sharp, exacerbated with movement, and decreased with rest. Severe pain may last 2 to 3 weeks and then decrease during 6 to 8 weeks, but pain may persist for months. Acute fractures in osteoporosis, however, may result in little discomfort or poor localization. In osteoporotic fractures, the mid and lower thoracic vertebrae are typically affected. A good history and physical examination are essential, as there may be indicators of a more ominous underlying pathologic process.
The patient may experience loss of mobility and independence in activities of daily living and household activities, and there may be an impact on social, avocational, vocational, and psychological functioning. In patients with severe symptoms, hospitalization may be necessary [ 15 ].
A compression fracture is caused by forces transmitted along the vertebral body. The ligaments are intact, and compression fractures are usually stable [ 1] ( Fig. 42.1 ). Compression fractures in the thoracic vertebrae are commonly seen in osteoporosis with decreased bone mineral density. They may be asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally on radiography. Such fractures may occur with trivial trauma and are usually stable [ 2, 3 ]. Pathologic vertebral fractures may occur with metastatic cancer (commonly from lung, breast, or prostate) as well as with other processes affecting vertebrae. Trauma, such as a fall from a height or a motor vehicle accident, can also result in thoracic compression fracture. Considerable force is required to fracture healthy vertebrae, which are resistant to compression. In such cases, the force required to produce a fracture may cause extension of fracture components into the spinal canal with neurologic findings. There may be evidence of additional trauma, such as calcaneal fractures from a fall. Multiple thoracic compression fractures, as seen with osteoporosis, can produce a kyphotic deformity [ 4 – 6 ]. An estimated 1.5 million vertebral compression fractures occur annually in the United States, with 25% of postmenopausal women affected in their lifetime. Estimates indicate that there are 44 million persons with osteoporosis and 34 million with low bone mass in the United States [ 7 ]. Existence of vertebral compression fracture increases the risk of future vertebral compression fractures (with 1 fracture, there is a 5-fold increase; with 2 or more fractures, there is a 12-fold increase) [ 8 ].
It may be severe, sharp, exacerbated with movement, and decreased with rest. Severe pain may last 2 to 3 weeks and then decrease during 6 to 8 weeks, but pain may persist for months. Acute fractures in osteoporosis, however, may result in little discomfort or poor localization [ 9 ]. In osteoporotic fractures, the mid and lower thoracic vertebrae are typically affected. A good history and physical examination are essential as there may be indicators of a more ominous underlying pathologic process [ 10, 11 ].
They may be asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally on radiography. Such fractures may occur with trivial trauma and are usually stable [ 2, 3 ]. Pathologic vertebral fractures may occur with metastatic cancer (commonly from lung, breast, or prostate) as well as with other processes affecting vertebrae. Trauma, such as a fall from a height ...