2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S24Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level
S24 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as S24.0XXA, S24.0XXD, S24.0XXS, and S24.101A.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax levelOverview
Non-specific codes like S24 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:
S24.0 for Concussion and edema of thoracic spinal cord
S24.1 for Other and unspecified injuries of thoracic spinal cord
S24.10 for Unspecified injury of thoracic spinal cord
S24.11 for Complete lesion of thoracic spinal cord
S24.13 for Anterior cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord
S24.14 for Brown-Sequard syndrome of thoracic spinal cord
S24.15 for Other incomplete lesions of thoracic spinal cord
S24.2 for Injury of nerve root of thoracic spine
S24.3 for Injury of peripheral nerves of thorax
S24.4 for Injury of thoracic sympathetic nervous system
S24.8 for Injury of other specified nerves of thorax
S24.9 for Injury of unspecified nerve of thorax
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
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 applicable episode of care:
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
Source: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Code Also
- any associated:
- fracture of thoracic vertebra S22.0
- open wound of thorax S21
- transient paralysis R29.5
Type 2 Excludes
- injury of brachial plexus S14.3
7th Character Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S24
7th Character
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
A "code also" note instructs that two codes may be required to fully describe a condition, but this note does not provide sequencing direction.
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.
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.
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
Patient EducationClinical
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.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S24Overview
Is S24 (Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level) a billable code?
No. This is a category header that groups the codes for injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level need a more specific code from this category, such as S24.0XXA, S24.0XXD, and S24.0XXS.
