Short description: Unsp thoracic, thoracolum and lumbosacr intvrt disc disorder The 2021 edition of ICD-10-CM M51.9 became effective on October 1, 2020. This is the American ICD-10-CM version of M51.9 - other international versions of ICD-10 M51.9 may differ. The following code (s) above M51.9 contain annotation back-references
A disc described as "bulging" without further specification as to the cause of the bulging should not be coded as a displacement, but, like other observations of uncertain significance as 722.9 "other and unspecified disc disorder" or as 793.7, "nonspecific abnormal findings on radiographic examination" (musculoskeletal)."
M51.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. Short description: Unsp thoracic, thoracolum and lumbosacr intvrt disc disorder.
Lumbar disc herniation. Prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc. ICD-10-CM M51.26 is grouped within Diagnostic Related Group (s) (MS-DRG v38.0): 551 Medical back problems with mcc. 552 Medical back problems without mcc. Convert M51.26 to ICD-9-CM.
Other intervertebral disc displacement, thoracolumbar region The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM M51. 25 became effective on October 1, 2021.
A thoracic bulging disc occurs when a disc in the thoracic spine (middle of the back) has flattened and expanded under pressure from the surrounding vertebrae.
ICD-10 code: M54. 14 Radiculopathy Thoracic region.
04.
"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."
The thoracic spine is located in the upper and middle part of the back. Twelve vertebrae are located in the thoracic spine and are numbered T-1 to T-12. Each number corresponds with the nerves in that section of the spinal cord: T-1 through T-5 nerves affect muscles, upper chest, mid-back and abdominal muscles.
Thoracic radiculopathy: Thoracic radiculopathy is a pinched nerve that occurs in the upper region of the back, causing symptoms such as tingling, pain and numbness that can extend to the front of the body.
ICD-10 Code for Pain in thoracic spine- M54. 6- Codify by AAPC.
ICD-10 Code M54. 5 for Chronic Low Back Pain | CareCloud.
M47.814M47. 814 - Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, thoracic region | ICD-10-CM.
Spinal stenosis, site unspecified M48. 00 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 M48. 00 became effective on October 1, 2021.
Foraminal Stenosis is the narrowing of the cervical disc space caused by enlargement of a joint (the uncinate process) in the spinal canal. The majority of symptoms with this type of cervical spinal stenosis are usually caused by one nerve root on one side.
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.
M51.24 is a billable ICD code used to specify a diagnosis of other intervertebral disc displacement, thoracic region. A 'billable code' is detailed enough to be used to specify a medical diagnosis.
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.
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.