Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S24

Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level

ICD-10-CM Code:
S24
ICD-10 Code for:
Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the thorax
      (S20-S29)
      • Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level
        (S24)

S24 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level. 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.

Specific Coding Applicable to Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level

Non-specific codes like S24 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 injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level:

  • S24.0 for Concussion and edema of thoracic spinal cord - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S24.1 for Other and unspecified injuries of thoracic spinal cord - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S24.10 for Unspecified injury of thoracic spinal cord - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S24.11 for Complete lesion of thoracic spinal cord - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S24.13 for Anterior cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S24.14 for Brown-Sequard syndrome of thoracic spinal cord - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S24.15 for Other incomplete lesions of thoracic spinal cord - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S24.2 for Injury of nerve root of thoracic spine - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S24.3 for Injury of peripheral nerves of thorax - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S24.4 for Injury of thoracic sympathetic nervous system - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S24.8 for Injury of other specified nerves of thorax - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S24.9 for Injury of unspecified nerve of thorax - NON-BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level (S24). 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.


Code Also

Code Also
A "code also" note instructs that two codes may be required to fully describe a condition, but this note does not provide sequencing direction.
  • any associated:
  • fracture of thoracic vertebra S22.0
  • open wound of thorax S21
  • transient paralysis R29.5

Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
  • injury of brachial plexus S14.3

7th Character Note

7th Character Note
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S24

7th Character

7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

  • Code to highest level of thoracic spinal cord injury
  • Injuries to the spinal cord S24.0 S24.1

Patient Education


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


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.