2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S32.051DStable burst fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S30-S39›S32

ICD-10-CM S32.051D
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

S32.051D is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for stable burst fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing. The 7th character D means subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing, used during routine care in the healing or recovery phase. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 559 through 561. The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Fracture of the spine and back, subsequent encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S32.051D
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Stable burst fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
Short Description
Stable burst fx fifth lum vertebra, subs for fx w routn heal
Parent Code
S32.051
Stable burst fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS30-S39Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals
CategoryS32Fracture of lumbar spine and pelvis
This CodeS32.051DStable burst fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

S32.051D is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review the other POA exempt codes in Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals (S30-S39).

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The principles of multiple coding of injuries should be followed in coding fractures. Fractures of specified sites are coded individually by site, to 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) while 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).

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).

Source: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to S32.051D: its own notes plus those printed at S32, block S30-S39, and Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

From S32 Fracture of lumbar spine and pelvis applies to 846 codes
  • fracture of lumbosacral neural arch
  • fracture of lumbosacral spinous process
  • fracture of lumbosacral transverse process
  • fracture of lumbosacral vertebra
  • fracture of lumbosacral vertebral arch
From Block S30-S39 Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals applies to 2,679 codes
  • injuries to the abdominal wall
  • injuries to the anus
  • injuries to the buttock
  • injuries to the external genitalia
  • injuries to the flank
  • injuries to the groin

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From S32 Fracture of lumbar spine and pelvis applies to 846 codes
  • transection of abdomen (S38.3)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From S32 Fracture of lumbar spine and pelvis applies to 846 codes
From Block S30-S39 Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals applies to 2,679 codes
  • burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
  • effects of foreign body in anus and rectum (T18.5)
  • effects of foreign body in genitourinary tract (T19.-)
  • effects of foreign body in stomach, small intestine and colon (T18.2-T18.4)
  • frostbite (T33-T34)
  • insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes

Code First

The underlying condition named in the note is sequenced before this code.

From S32 Fracture of lumbar spine and pelvis applies to 846 codes
  • any associated spinal cord and spinal nerve injury (S34.-)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From S32 Fracture of lumbar spine and pelvis applies to 846 codes
  • A fracture not indicated as displaced or nondisplaced should be coded to displaced
  • A fracture not indicated as opened or closed should be coded to closed
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • Use secondary code(s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code
  • The chapter uses the S-section for coding different types of injuries related to single body regions and the T-section to cover injuries to unspecified body regions as well as poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.

7th Character

Every code in the category takes a 7th character from the listed values, with the placeholder X filling any empty positions before it.

From S32 Fracture of lumbar spine and pelvis applies to 846 codes
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S32
Values for category S32 Skull, Spine and Pelvis Fracture Encounter
  • Ainitial encounter for closed fracture
  • Binitial encounter for open fracture
  • Dsubsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing this code
  • Gsubsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
  • Ksubsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
  • Ssequela

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name S32.051D, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 4

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming S32.051D: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • M48.4 Fatigue fracture of vertebra
    traumatic fracture of vertebrae (S12.0-S12.3-, S22.0-, S32.0-) names S32.0-, which includes this code
  • M48.5 Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified
    traumatic fracture of vertebra (S12.-, S22.-, S32.-) names S32.-, which includes this code
  • M84.3 Stress fracture
    traumatic fracture (S12.-, S22.-, S32.-, S42.-, S52.-, S62.-, S72.-, S82.-, S92.-) names S32.-, which includes this code
  • M84.4 Pathological fracture, not elsewhere classified
    traumatic fracture (S12.-, S22.-, S32.-, S42.-, S52.-, S62.-, S72.-, S82.-, S92.-) names S32.-, which includes this code

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming S32.051D: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • S33.1 Subluxation and dislocation of lumbar vertebra
    fracture of lumbar vertebrae (S32.0-) names S32.0-, which includes this code

Use Additional Code 1

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and S32.051D is one of the codes named.

  • S38.1 Crushing injury of abdomen, lower back, and pelvis
    fracture of thoracic or lumbar spine and pelvis (S22.0-, S32.-) names S32.-, which includes this code

Code Also 1

These codes say S32.051D may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.

  • S34 Injury of lumbar and sacral spinal cord and nerves at abdomen, lower back and pelvis level
    fracture of vertebra (S22.0-, S32.0-) names S32.0-, which includes this code

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR INJ039
Fracture of the spine and back, subsequent encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Fractures

A fracture is a break in a bone. Fractures are usually caused by injuries. Since they can sometimes be serious, it's important to get medical care right away if you think you have a fracture.

The full article covers:

  • What is a fracture?
  • What are the different types of fractures?
  • What causes fractures?
  • What are the symptoms of a fracture?
  • How are fractures diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for fractures?
  • Can fractures be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert S32.051D to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
V54.17 Aftrcre traum fx vertebr
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About S32.051DOverview

Is S32.051D (Stable burst fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report stable burst fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What does the 7th character D in S32.051D mean?

The final character D marks a subsequent encounter: use it for routine care while the stable burst fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra is healing, after active treatment has ended. In this category the CMS Tabular List defines D as "subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing".

What MS-DRG does S32.051D group to?

When stable burst fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 559, 561, 560, with relative weights from 0.8258 to 1.8087 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is S32.051D exempt from POA reporting?

Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for stable burst fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing on inpatient claims. The code appears in the Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals (S30-S39) range of the CMS exempt list.

Can S32.051D be reported with S38.3?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at S32, which applies to S32.051D, lists "transection of abdomen (S38.3)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).