2025 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S34.129A
Incomplete lesion of unspecified level of lumbar spinal cord, initial encounter
- ICD-10-CM Code:
- S34.129A
- ICD-10 Code for:
- Incomplete lesion of unsp level of lumbar spinal cord, init
- Is Billable?
- Yes - Valid for Submission
- Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
- Chronic
- Code Navigator:
S34.129A is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of incomplete lesion of unspecified level of lumbar spinal cord, initial encounter. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2024 through September 30, 2025.
S34.129A is an initial encounter code, includes a 7th character and should be used while the patient is receiving active treatment for a condition like incomplete lesion of unspecified level of lumbar spinal cord. According to ICD-10-CM Guidelines an "initial encounter" doesn't necessarily means "initial visit". The 7th character should be used when the patient is undergoing active treatment regardless if new or different providers saw the patient over the course of a treatment. The appropriate 7th character codes should also be used even if the patient delayed seeking treatment for a condition.
Unspecified diagnosis codes like S34.129A are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.
Approximate Synonyms
The following list of clinical terms are approximate synonyms, alternative descriptions, or common phrases that might be used by patients, healthcare providers, or medical coders to describe the same condition. These synonyms and related diagnosis terms are often used when searching for an ICD-10 code, especially when the exact medical terminology is unclear. Whether you're looking for lay terms, similar diagnosis names, or common language alternatives, this list can help guide you to the correct ICD-10 classification.
- 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 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 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 due to traumatic injury
- Central cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord due to traumatic injury
- Central cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord due to traumatic injury
- Central cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord due to traumatic injury
- Central cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord due to traumatic injury
- 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 fracture of lumbar vertebra with spinal cord injury
- Closed fracture of lumbar vertebra with spinal cord injury
- Closed spinal dislocation with anterior lumbar cord lesion
- Closed spinal dislocation with posterior lumbar cord lesion
- Closed spinal dislocation with posterior 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 spinal subluxation with posterior lumbar cord lesion
- Closed subluxation lumbar spine
- Closed subluxation lumbar spine
- Closed subluxation lumbar spine
- Closed traumatic dislocation of lumbar vertebra
- Closed traumatic dislocation of lumbar vertebra
- Closed traumatic dislocation of lumbar vertebra
- Fracture of lumbar spine with cord lesion
- Fracture of lumbar spine with cord lesion
- Fracture of lumbar spine with cord lesion
- Fracture of lumbar spine with cord lesion
- Fracture of lumbar spine with cord lesion
- Fracture of lumbar spine with cord lesion
- Incomplete cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord
- Lumbar cord injury without spinal bone injury
- Lumbar cord injury without spinal bone injury
- Lumbar cord injury without spinal bone injury
- Open dislocation of lumbar vertebra
- Open dislocation of lumbar vertebra
- Open dislocation of lumbar vertebra
- Open dislocation of lumbar vertebra
- Open dislocation of lumbar vertebra
- Open dislocation of lumbar vertebra
- Open fracture of lumbar spine with incomplete lesion of lumbar spinal cord
- Open fracture of lumbar spine with incomplete lesion of lumbar spinal cord
- Open fracture of lumbar vertebra with spinal cord injury
- Open fracture of lumbar vertebra with spinal cord injury
- Open fracture of lumbar vertebra with spinal cord injury
- Open spinal dislocation with anterior lumbar cord lesion
- Open spinal dislocation with anterior lumbar cord lesion
- Open spinal dislocation with posterior lumbar cord lesion
- Open spinal dislocation with posterior 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 spinal subluxation with posterior lumbar cord lesion
- Open subluxation lumbar spine
- Open subluxation lumbar spine
- Open subluxation lumbar spine
- Posterior cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord
- Posterior cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord
- Posterior cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord
- Posterior lumbar cord injury without bony injury
- Spinal subluxation with lumbar cord lesion
- Spinal subluxation with lumbar cord lesion
- Spinal subluxation with lumbar cord lesion
- Spinal subluxation with lumbar cord lesion
- Spinal subluxation with lumbar cord lesion
- Spinal subluxation with lumbar cord lesion
Clinical Classification
Clinical Classifications group individual ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes into broader, clinically meaningful categories. These categories help simplify complex data by organizing related conditions under common clinical themes.
They are especially useful for data analysis, reporting, and clinical decision-making. Even when diagnosis codes differ, similar conditions can be grouped together based on their clinical relevance. Each category is assigned a unique CCSR code that represents a specific clinical concept, often tied to a body system or medical specialty.
Spinal cord injury (SCI), initial encounter
CCSR Code: INJ009
Inpatient Default: Y - Yes, default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
Outpatient Default: Y - Yes, default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
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
Convert S34.129A to ICD-9-CM
Below are the ICD-9 codes that most closely match this ICD-10 code, based on the General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs). This ICD-10 to ICD-9 crosswalk tool is helpful for coders who need to reference legacy diagnosis codes for audits, historical claims, or approximate code comparisons.
Lumbar spinal cord injur
ICD-9-CM: 952.2
Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means this ICD-10 code does not have an exact ICD-9 equivalent. The matched code is the closest available option, but it may not fully capture the original diagnosis or clinical intent.
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.
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.