All ICD10 Codes
S34Not billable, use a more specific code below

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

In Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals (S30-S39), chapter 19: Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes

93 billable codes under S34: 24 are an MCC; 47 map to HCC 182 (Spinal Cord Disorders/Injuries).A CC or MCC (major CC) is a secondary diagnosis that raises the MS-DRG payment. An HCC counts toward a Medicare Advantage patient's risk score.

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Instructional notes

Code also: add a code for this too, order depends on the encounter

  • any associated:
  • fracture of vertebra (S22.0-, S32.0-)
  • open wound of abdomen, lower back and pelvis (S31.-)
  • transient paralysis (R29.5)

Also applies, from Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals (S30-S39)

These notes sit on S30-S39 and apply to every code under it, including S34.

Includes: conditions that are coded here

  • injuries to the abdominal wall
  • injuries to the anus
  • injuries to the buttock
  • injuries to the external genitalia
  • injuries to the flank
  • injuries to the groin

Excludes2: not included here, code separately if applicable

  • burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
  • effects of foreign body in anus and rectum (T18.5)
  • effects of foreign body in genitourinary tract (T19.-)
  • effects of foreign body in stomach, small intestine and colon (T18.2-T18.4)
  • frostbite (T33-T34)
  • insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)

Official coding guidelines

From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.

Covers 7th character use and coding of injuries, fractures, burns, drug and toxic effects, abuse and neglect, and complications of care (S00-T88).

Read Section I.C.19 (page 77)

All codes under S34

S34 can't be used on a claim. Pick a billable code below; grey headings group them.

S34 MS-DRGs

As the principal diagnosis, the billable codes under S34 group to these 12 MS-DRGs (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.

Other codes that refer to S34

Notes on these codes point to S34.

  • G83.8 Excludes1: paralytic syndromes due to current spinal cord injury-code to spinal cord injury (S14, S24, S34)
  • S32 Code First: any associated spinal cord and spinal nerve injury (S34.-)

About the condition

Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.

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.

Read more about spinal cord injuries on MedlinePlus

Code history

Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.