2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S34.3XXDInjury of cauda equina, subsequent encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S30-S39›S34

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

S34.3XXD is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for injury of cauda equina, subsequent encounter. The 7th character D marks it as a subsequent encounter code, used during routine care in the healing or recovery phase. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 949 through 950. The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Spinal cord injury (SCI), subsequent encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S34.3XXD
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Injury of cauda equina, subsequent encounter
Short Description
Injury of cauda equina, subsequent 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 CodeS34.3XXDInjury of cauda equina, subsequent encounter

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

S34.3XXD is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.

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 INJ046
Spinal cord injury (SCI), subsequent 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 S34.3XXD to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
V58.89 Other specfied aftercare
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 S34.3XXDOverview

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

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

What does the 7th character D in S34.3XXD mean?

The final character D marks a subsequent encounter: use it for routine care while the injury of cauda equina is healing, after active treatment has ended.

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

When injury of cauda equina, subsequent encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 949, 950, with relative weights from 0.6277 to 1.1897 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is S34.3XXD 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 injury of cauda equina, subsequent encounter on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S34.3XXD?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, injury of cauda equina, subsequent encounter converts to ICD-9-CM V58.89 (other specfied aftercare). 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.