ICD-10-CM Code for Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region M51. 36.
Codes in subcategory M51. 3, Other thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc degeneration, are specific to vertebral regions. ... To read the full article, sign in and subscribe to AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS .
M51. 36 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
The vertebrae (bones of the spine) are stacked on top of one another and separated by intervertebral discs. Degenerative disc disease develops as the intervertebral discs experience degenerative changes; when this occurs at multiple levels of the spine, this is multilevel degenerative disc disease.
However, degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis are different conditions and can occur separately: one can have degenerative discs without any facet osteoarthritis; or one can have facet osteoarthritis without degenerative discs.
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.
9: Dorsalgia, unspecified.
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.”
Discs often degenerate with age causing vertebrae to sit closer together. This is part of the reason we shrink with age. Degenerative discs can lead to pain via multiple pathways. Spinal stenosis is another condition of the spine where the central canal diameter is reduced much like a pipe that becomes clogged.
Risk factors for degenerative disc disease include: Family history of back pain or musculoskeletal disorders. Excessive strain on the low back caused by sports, frequent heavy lifting, or labor-intensive jobs. Strain on the lumbar spinal discs due to prolonged sitting and/or poor posture.
DISC DEGENRATIVE DISEASE L4-L5 CAUSES Tiny tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc – Pressure on the outer layer of a disc can result in the development of small tears. The jellylike material from inside the disc can then seep through these cracks – a condition known as a herniated disc.
ICD-10 Code M54. 5 for Chronic Low Back Pain | CareCloud.
89.29 or the diagnosis term “chronic pain syndrome” to utilize ICD-10 code G89. 4. If not documented, other symptom diagnosis codes may be utilized.
ICD-10 code M19. 90 for Unspecified osteoarthritis, unspecified site is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Arthropathies .
ICD-10 Code for Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region- M51. 16- Codify by AAPC.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A degenerative spinal disease that can involve any part of the vertebra, the intervertebral disk, and the surrounding soft tissue. Degeneration of the spinal bone where spinal columns are fused and immobilized. Code History.
The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM M47 became effective on October 1, 2021.
neoplasms ( C00-D49) symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified ( R00 - R94) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. Clinical Information. A degenerative spinal disease that can involve any part of the vertebra, the intervertebral disk, and the surrounding soft tissue.