2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S34.3XXAInjury of cauda equina, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S30-S39›S34

ICD-10-CM S34.3XXA
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

S34.3XXA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for injury of cauda equina, 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

ICD-10-CM Code
S34.3XXA
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Injury of cauda equina, initial encounter
Short Description
Injury of cauda equina, initial encounter
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
S34.3
Injury of cauda equina

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
CategoryS34Injury of lumbar and sacral spinal cord and nerves at abdomen, lower back and pelvis level
This CodeS34.3XXAInjury of cauda equina, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Cauda equina injury without spinal bone injury
  • Closed fracture of sacrum AND/OR coccyx with cauda equina injury
  • Closed fracture of sacrum AND/OR coccyx with complete cauda equina lesion
  • Closed fracture of sacrum with complete cauda equina lesion
  • Closed fracture sacrum
  • Closed injury cauda equina
  • Closed spinal dislocation with cauda equina lesion
  • Closed spinal fracture with cauda equina lesion
  • Closed spinal subluxation with cauda equina lesion
  • Closed subluxation lumbar spine
  • Injury of cauda equina
  • Open fracture of sacrum AND/OR coccyx with cauda equina injury
  • Open fracture of sacrum AND/OR coccyx with complete cauda equina lesion
  • Open fracture of sacrum with complete cauda equina lesion
  • Open fracture sacrum
  • Open injury cauda equina
  • Open spinal dislocation with cauda equina lesion
  • Open spinal fracture with cauda equina lesion
  • Open spinal subluxation with cauda equina lesion
  • Spinal subluxation with cauda equina 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.

CCSR INJ009
Spinal cord injury (SCI), initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Peripheral Nerve Disorders

Nerves are like wires that carry messages back and forth between your brain and your body. Your peripheral nerves branch off from your brain and spinal cord and connect to all parts of your body, including your muscles and organs.

The full article covers:

  • What are peripheral nerves?
  • What are peripheral nerve disorders?
  • What causes peripheral nerve disorders?
  • What are the symptoms of peripheral nerve disorders?
  • How are peripheral nerve disorders diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for peripheral nerve disorders?
  • Can peripheral nerve disorders be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert S34.3XXA to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
952.4 Cauda equina injury
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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About S34.3XXAOverview

Is S34.3XXA (Injury of cauda equina) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report injury of cauda equina, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character A in S34.3XXA mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for injury of cauda equina, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does S34.3XXA group to?

When injury of cauda equina, 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 S34.3XXA?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, injury of cauda equina, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 952.4 (cauda equina injury). 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.