A type I odontoid fracture occurs when the rostral tip of the odontoid process is avulsed (broken or torn off). This injury commonly occurs due to pulling forces from the apical ligament attachment to the odontoid process. The apical ligament attaches the tip of the odontoid process to the foramen magnum (skull base).
A fracture of the odontoid bone (also called the dens), is an upward extension of C2 cervical vertebrae (i.e., axis) up into the C1 cervical vertebrae (i.e., atlas) and is held in place partially by the alar, apical and transverse ligaments. There are three types of dens fractures with type II being the most common.
S12.111ICD-10-CM Code for Posterior displaced Type II dens fracture S12. 111.
The odontoid process, also known as the dens, is an upward projectile of bone that arises from the front part of the center of the axis vertebra. (The axis is the 2nd highest spinal bone.) The atlas is the first bone of your neck; it sits on top of the axis.
C1 and C2 vertebrae. The C1 vertebra, also called atlas, is shaped like a ring. The C2 vertebra has an upward-facing long bony process called the dens. The dens forms a joint with the C1 vertebra and facilitates its turning motions, thereby allowing the head to turn in different directions.
A type II odontoid fracture is a break that occurs through a specific part of C2, the second bone in the neck. Bones of the spine are called vertebrae. The bone involved in odontoid fracture is the second vertebra, C2, high up in the neck.
S12. 14XS 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 S12. 14XS became effective on October 1, 2021.
The dens (odontoid process) of the axis exists as a superior projection from the C2 vertebral body and is conical in shape and serves as an attachment site for the transverse, apical, and alar ligaments [1-2].
These fractures can alter the biomechanics (movement) of the cervical spine leading to pain, neurologic problems (numbness in the back, legs, and arms), and decreased stability. Sometimes these fractures are missed or left untreated, and they can be associated with increased morbidity (disease) in older patients.
: a toothlike process that projects from the anterior end of the centrum of the axis in the spinal column, serves as a pivot on which the atlas rotates, and is morphologically the centrum of the atlas though detached from that vertebra and more or less perfectly united with the next one behind.
The odontoid process (also dens or odontoid peg) is a protuberance (process or projection) of the Axis (second cervical vertebra). It exhibits a slight constriction or neck, where it joins the main body of the vertebra.
Table 2.ComplicationPatients (%)Death7 (6.8)Unplanned reoperation6 (5.8)Failure to wean/re-intubation5 (4.9)Myocardial infarction2 (1.9)18 more rows•May 16, 2017
These fractures can alter the biomechanics (movement) of the cervical spine leading to pain, neurologic problems (numbness in the back, legs, and arms), and decreased stability. Sometimes these fractures are missed or left untreated, and they can be associated with increased morbidity (disease) in older patients.
Table 2.ComplicationPatients (%)Major complications18 (17.5)Death7 (6.8)Unplanned reoperation6 (5.8)Failure to wean/re-intubation5 (4.9)18 more rows•May 16, 2017
The odontoid process (also dens or odontoid peg) is a protuberance (process or projection) of the Axis (second cervical vertebra). It exhibits a slight constriction or neck, where it joins the main body of the vertebra.
The dens (odontoid process) of the axis exists as a superior projection from the C2 vertebral body and is conical in shape and serves as an attachment site for the transverse, apical, and alar ligaments [1-2].
The ICD code S121 is used to code Hangman's fracture. A hangman's fracture is the colloquial name given to a fracture of both pedicles or pars interarticularis of the axis vertebra (C2) (or epistropheus). Specialty:
Use a child code to capture more detail. ICD Code S12.12 is a non-billable code.
For codes less than 6 characters that require a 7th character a placeholder 'X' should be assigned for all characters less than 6. The 7th character must always be the 7th position of a code. E.g. The ICD-10-CM code T67.4 (Heat exhaustion due to salt depletion) requires an Episode of Care identifier.
A hangman's fracture is the colloquial name given to a fracture of both pedicles or pars interarticularis of the axis vertebra (C2) (or epistropheus).
The ICD-10-CM Alphabetical Index links the below-listed medical terms to the ICD code S12.121. Click on any term below to browse the alphabetical index.
All fractures default to a “closed” fracture if it’s not documented. Closed fracture means that there’s a broken bone but it is not coming out through the skin. This is really gross to think about but since we’re coders, we have to. Basically, if the report states “open fracture,” you’d code it as open fracture.
But what that means is that the bone is so broken and messed up that you’d be able to see it. It’s through the skin (these are very bad fractures, sometimes from gunshot wounds and those types of injuries).
Keywords for healing is if the documentation mentions “callus formation.”. Callus formation means the bones are healing. Just in general, here are some more facts about fracture coding.