Degenerative disc disease isn’t so much a disease, but rather a term used to describe some degree of age-related disc wear or deterioration. When the spongy discs that cushion the spine as it moves deteriorate in more than one location along the spine, it’s referred to as multilevel degenerative disc disease.
Degenerative disc disease can lead to a chronic debilitating condition and can have a serious negative impact on a person's quality of life. When pain from degenerative disc disease is severe, traditional nonoperative treatment may be ineffective. Cause. There is a disc between each of the vertebrae in the spine.
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.
The “disease” is nothing more than the gradual deterioration and thinning of the shock-absorbing intervertebral discs in the spine. When it happens at multiple discs or levels throughout the spine, this is known as multilevel degenerative disc disease.
ICD-10-CM Code for Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region M51. 36.
Lumbosacral discogenic syndrome is a common cause of axial low back pain (ALBP) which can arise from structures such as facet joints, spinal muscles, and ligaments. Low back pain (ALBP) is a major clinical and socioeconomic burden in the global health sector.
The phrase "degenerative changes" in the spine refers to osteoarthritis of the spine. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Doctors may also refer to it as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis in the spine most commonly occurs in the neck and lower back.
Degenerative disc disease is a condition that is categorized by a gradual deterioration and thinning of the shock-absorbing intervertebral discs in your spine. In some cases, disc generation is contained to one overstressed disc, but more often, disc degeneration occurs at multiple levels throughout the spine.
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.
M51. 36 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
A: OA, or degenerative joint disease, is identified in categories M15-M19 of the ICD-10-CM manual. This is the most common type of arthritis in the elderly. If the arthritis is ever in the spine, refer to category M47, Spondylosis.
[ dĭs′kə-jĕn′ĭk ] adj. Relating to a disorder originating in or from an intervertebral disk.
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.
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.
Treatment may include occupational therapy, physical therapy, or both, special exercises, medications, losing weight, and surgery. Medical options include injecting the joints next to the damaged disc with steroids and a local anesthetic. These are called facet joint injections. They can provide effective pain relief.
Degenerative disc disease by itself is not recognized as a listed disability by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
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.
Physical therapy can help stretch and strengthen the right muscles to help the back heal and reduce the frequency of painful flare-ups. Lifestyle modifications, such as changing your posture, losing weight or giving up smoking, can sometimes help reduce stress on the damaged disc and slow down further degeneration.
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.
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.
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.
If multi-level degenerative disc disease eventually sets in, your doctor will first begin by administering a course of conservative treatment, which may include rest, pain medications, physical therapy, exercise and diet modifications. These treatments will not reverse disc degeneration, but they can help alleviate symptoms and prevent further disc breakdown.
Tweet. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that is categorized by a gradual deterioration and thinning of the shock-absorbing intervertebral discs in your spine. In some cases, disc generation is contained to one overstressed disc, but more often, disc degeneration occurs at multiple levels throughout the spine.
In fact, the most common cause of multi-level degenerative disc disease is age, which means there’s little you can do to prevent the condition from naturally setting in. Other actions that can lead to a more expedient breakdown of of the spinal discs include physical labor, excessive stress on the spine, years of alcohol consumption ...
Symptoms of multi-level degenerative disc disease vary based on the location of the degeneration. Since discs can break down in your neck, your middle back or your lumbar spine, symptoms can arise in a number of different locations. Also, a number of individuals may actually be suffering from multi-level disc breakdown and not even know it, ...
Also, a number of individuals may actually be suffering from multi-level disc breakdown and not even know it, because the condition doesn’t always cause symptoms. In and of itself, multi-level degenerative disc disease is usually asymptomatic, but problems occur when discs shrink or shift and other structures like nerves become compressed.
Degenerative disc disease typically affects the lower back or neck. The condition occurs when the discs between vertebrae lose cushioning, fragment, and herniate. Many factors can lead to DDD such as heavy lifting, family history of spine problems or spine injury. Military activities, like repeated heavy lifting, can lead to DDD over time.
What is Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)? Degenerative disc disease , otherwise known as osteoarthritis of the spine, typically affects the lower back or neck. The condition occurs when the discs between vertebrae lose cushioning, fragment, and herniate.
If you filed a claim for degenerative disc disease and were de nied benefits, Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help you appeal your unfavorable decision. For a free case evaluation, call 401-237-6412 today.
It is not enough for the examiners to simply say that a veteran’s DDD is due to natural progression and aging. Instead, they must also explain why it is not due to other factors, such as service.
Treatment of multilevel degenerative disc disease with intradiscal electrothermal therapy
It is typically performed on one to two discs; the discal treatment is followed by a long period of rest and rehabilitation. In patients with multilevel disc disease, intradiscal electrothermal therapy is either not contemplated or only one to two discs are treated at a time.