2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S32.00

Fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra

ICD-10-CM Code:
S32.00
ICD-10 Code for:
Fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals
      (S30-S39)
      • Fracture of lumbar spine and pelvis
        (S32)

S32.00 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra. 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 S32.00 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 Fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra

Non-specific codes like S32.00 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 fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra:

  • S32.000 for Wedge compression fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.000A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.000B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.000D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.000G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.000K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.000S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S32.001 for Stable burst fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.001A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.001B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.001D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.001G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.001K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.001S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S32.002 for Unstable burst fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.002A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.002B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.002D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.002G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.002K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.002S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S32.008 for Other fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.008A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.008B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.008D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.008G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.008K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.008S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S32.009 for Unspecified fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.009A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.009B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.009D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.009G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.009K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S32.009S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The principles of multiple coding of injuries should be followed in coding fractures. Fractures of specified sites are coded individually by site nd the level of detail furnished by medical record content.

A fracture not indicated as open or closed should be coded to closed. A fracture not indicated whether displaced or not displaced should be coded to displaced.

Initial vs. Subsequent Encounter for Fractures

Traumatic fractures are coded using the appropriate 7th character for initial encounter (A, B, C) for each encounter where the patient is receiving active treatment for the fracture. The appropriate 7th character for initial encounter should also be assigned for a patient who delayed seeking treatment for the fracture or nonunion.

Fractures are coded using the appropriate 7th character for subsequent care for encounters after the patient has completed active treatment of the fracture and is receiving routine care for the fracture during the healing or recovery phase.

Care for complications of surgical treatment for fracture repairs during the healing or recovery phase should be coded with the appropriate complication codes.

Care of complications of fractures, such as malunion and nonunion, should be reported with the appropriate 7th character for subsequent care with nonunion (K, M, N,) or subsequent care with malunion (P, Q, R).

Malunion/nonunion: The appropriate 7th character for initial encounter should also be assigned for a patient who delayed seeking treatment for the fracture or nonunion.

The open fracture designations in the assignment of the 7th character for fractures of the forearm, femur and lower leg, including ankle are based on the Gustilo open fracture classification. When the Gustilo classification type is not specified for an open fracture, the 7th character for open fracture type I or II should be assigned (B, E, H, M, Q).

Patient Education


Fractures

A fracture is a break, usually in a bone. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Fractures commonly happen because of car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. Other causes are low bone density and osteoporosis, which cause weakening of the bones. Overuse can cause stress fractures, which are very small cracks in the bone.

Symptoms of a fracture are:

  • Intense pain
  • Deformity - the limb looks out of place
  • Swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the injury
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Problems moving a limb

You need to get medical care right away for any fracture. An x-ray can tell if your bone is broken. You may need to wear a cast or splint. Sometimes you need surgery to put in plates, pins or screws to keep the bone in place.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Spine Injuries and Disorders

Your backbone, or spine, is made up of 26 bone discs called vertebrae. The vertebrae protect your spinal cord and allow you to stand and bend. A number of problems can change the structure of the spine or damage the vertebrae and surrounding tissue. They include:

  • Infections
  • Injuries
  • Tumors
  • Conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis and scoliosis
  • Bone changes that come with age, such as spinal stenosis and herniated disks

Spinal diseases often cause pain when bone changes put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. They can also limit movement. Treatments differ by disease, but sometimes they include back braces and surgery.


[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.