Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S34

Injury of lumbar and sacral spinal cord and nerves at abdomen, lower back and pelvis level

ICD-10-CM Code:
S34
ICD-10 Code for:
Inj lower spinl cord and nrv at abd, low back and pelv 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 abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals
      (S30-S39)
      • Injury of lumbar and sacral spinal cord and nerves at abdomen, lower back and pelvis level
        (S34)

S34 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 lumbar and sacral spinal cord and nerves at abdomen, lower back and pelvis 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 Inj lower spinl cord and nrv at abd, low back and pelv level

Non-specific codes like S34 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 inj lower spinl cord and nrv at abd, low back and pelv level:

  • S34.0 for Concussion and edema of lumbar and sacral spinal cord - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.01 for Concussion and edema of lumbar spinal cord - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.02 for Concussion and edema of sacral spinal cord - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.1 for Other and unspecified injury of lumbar and sacral spinal cord - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.10 for Unspecified injury to lumbar spinal cord - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.11 for Complete lesion of lumbar spinal cord - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.12 for Incomplete lesion of lumbar spinal cord - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.13 for Other and unspecified injury to sacral spinal cord - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.2 for Injury of nerve root of lumbar and sacral spine - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.21 for Injury of nerve root of lumbar spine - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.22 for Injury of nerve root of sacral spine - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.3 for Injury of cauda equina - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.4 for Injury of lumbosacral plexus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.5 for Injury of lumbar, sacral and pelvic sympathetic nerves - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.6 for Injury of peripheral nerve(s) at abdomen, lower back and pelvis level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.8 for Injury of other nerves at abdomen, lower back and pelvis level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S34.9 for Injury of unspecified nerves at abdomen, lower back and pelvis level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Injury of lumbar and sacral spinal cord and nerves at abdomen, lower back and pelvis level (S34). 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 vertebra S22.0 S32.0
  • open wound of abdomen, lower back and pelvis S31
  • transient paralysis R29.5

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 S34

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 lumbar cord injury
  • Injuries to the spinal cord S34.0 S34.1

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.