2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S34.129AIncomplete lesion of unspecified level of lumbar spinal cord, initial encounter
ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S30-S39›S34
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- 7th Character A — Initial Encounter
- Chronic Condition
S34.129A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for incomplete lesion of unspecified level of lumbar spinal cord, initial encounter. The 7th character A marks it as an initial encounter code, used while the patient is receiving active treatment. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 963 through 965. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Spinal cord injury (SCI), initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Anterior lumbar cord injury without bony injury
- Brown-Séquard syndrome of lumbar spinal cord
- Central cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord
- Central cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord due to closed spinal dislocation
- Central cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord due to closed spinal fracture
- Central cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord due to closed spinal subluxation
- Central cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord due to open spinal dislocation
- Central cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord due to open spinal fracture
- Central cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord due to open spinal subluxation
- Central cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord due to traumatic injury
- Central cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord without bony injury
- Closed fracture of lumbar vertebra with spinal cord injury
- Closed spinal dislocation with anterior lumbar cord lesion
- Closed spinal fracture with anterior lumbar cord lesion
- Closed spinal fracture with posterior lumbar cord lesion
- Closed spinal subluxation with anterior lumbar cord lesion
- Closed subluxation lumbar spine
- Closed traumatic dislocation of lumbar vertebra
- Fracture of lumbar spine with cord lesion
- Incomplete cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord
- Lumbar cord injury without spinal bone injury
- Open dislocation of lumbar vertebra
- Open fracture of lumbar spine with incomplete lesion of lumbar spinal cord
- Open fracture of lumbar vertebra with spinal cord injury
- Open spinal dislocation with anterior lumbar cord lesion
- Open spinal fracture with anterior lumbar cord lesion
- Open spinal fracture with posterior lumbar cord lesion
- Open spinal subluxation with anterior lumbar cord lesion
- Open subluxation lumbar spine
- Posterior cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord
- Posterior cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord due to open dislocation of lumbar spine
- Posterior cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord due to open subluxation of lumbar spine
- Posterior cord syndrome of lumbar spine due to closed dislocation of lumbar spine
- Posterior cord syndrome of lumbar spine due to closed subluxation of lumbar spine
- Posterior lumbar cord injury without bony injury
- Spinal subluxation with lumbar cord lesion
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
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 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.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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.
Convert S34.129A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S34.129AOverview
Is S34.129A (Incomplete lesion of unspecified level of lumbar spinal cord) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report incomplete lesion of unspecified level of lumbar spinal cord, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in S34.129A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for incomplete lesion of unspecified level of lumbar spinal cord, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S34.129A group to?
When incomplete lesion of unspecified level of lumbar spinal cord, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.9405 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S34.129A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, incomplete lesion of unspecified level of lumbar spinal cord, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 952.2 (lumbar spinal cord injur). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
Footnotes
[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:
- The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
- The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.
