Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S14.109

Unspecified injury at unspecified level of cervical spinal cord

ICD-10-CM Code:: S14.109
ICD-10 Code for:: Unsp injury at unspecified level of cervical spinal cord
Is Billable?: Not Valid for Submission
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Code Information
Specific Coding
Approximate Synonyms
Coding Guidelines
Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
Index to Diseases and Injuries References
Patient Education
Other Codes Used Similar Conditions
Code History

Code Classification

Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
(S00–T88)
- Injuries to the neck
  (S10-S19)
  - Injury of nerves and spinal cord at neck level
    (S14)

S14.109 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of unspecified injury at unspecified level of cervical spinal cord. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like S14.109 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Specific Coding Applicable to Unsp injury at unspecified level of cervical spinal cord

Non-specific codes like S14.109 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for unsp injury at unspecified level of cervical spinal cord:

Use S14.109A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE
Use S14.109D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE
Use S14.109S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

Cervical spinal cord injury
Cervical spinal cord injury without spinal bone injury
Closed fracture of C1-C4 level with spinal cord injury
Closed fracture of C5-C7 level with spinal cord injury
Closed fracture of cervical region with spinal cord injury
Closed fracture of cervical spine with cord lesion
Fracture of cervical spine with cord lesion
Injuries of brain and cranial nerves with injuries of nerves and spinal cord at neck level
Injury of nerves and spinal cord at neck level
Multiple injuries of vertebral column region
Multiple intracranial injuries
Open fracture of C1-C4 level with spinal cord injury
Open fracture of cervical region with spinal cord injury
Open fracture of cervical spine with spinal cord lesion
Spinal dislocation with cervical cord lesion
Spinal subluxation with cervical cord lesion

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Injury of nerves and spinal cord at neck level (S14). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

A - initial encounter
D - subsequent encounter
S - sequela

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.

Inclusion Terms

Injury of cervical spinal cord NOS

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

- Injury - See Also: specified injury type; - T14.90
- - spinal (cord)
  - - cervical (neck) - S14.109

Patient Education

Neck Injuries and Disorders

Any part of your neck - muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, or nerves - can cause neck problems. Neck pain is very common. Pain may also come from your shoulder, jaw, head, or upper arms.

Muscle strain or tension often causes neck pain. The problem is usually overuse, such as from sitting at a computer for too long. Sometimes you can strain your neck muscles from sleeping in an awkward position or overdoing it during exercise. Falls or accidents, including car accidents, are another common cause of neck pain. Whiplash, a soft tissue injury to the neck, is also called neck sprain or strain.

Treatment depends on the cause, but may include applying ice, taking pain relievers, getting physical therapy or wearing a cervical collar. You rarely need surgery.

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Spinal Cord Injuries

Your spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs down the middle of your back. It carries signals back and forth between your body and your brain. A spinal cord injury disrupts the signals. Spinal cord injuries usually begin with a blow that fractures (breaks) or dislocates your vertebrae, the bone disks that make up your spine. Most injuries don't cut through your spinal cord. Instead, they cause damage when pieces of vertebrae tear into cord tissue or press down on the nerve parts that carry signals.

Spinal cord injuries can be complete or incomplete. With a complete spinal cord injury, the cord can't send signals below the level of the injury. As a result, you are paralyzed below the injury. With an incomplete injury, you have some movement and sensation below the injury.

A spinal cord injury is a medical emergency. Immediate treatment can reduce long-term effects. Treatments may include medicines, braces or traction to stabilize the spine, and surgery. Later treatment usually includes medicines and rehabilitation therapy. Mobility aids and assistive devices may help you to get around and do some daily tasks.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke