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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS12.15

S12.15

Billable

Other traumatic spondylolisthesis of second cervical vertebra

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 S12.15 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of other traumatic spondylolisthesis of second cervical vertebra.

Key Diagnostic Point:

S12.15 refers to a specific type of spinal injury characterized by the displacement of the second cervical vertebra (C2) due to trauma. This condition can arise from various mechanisms of injury, including high-impact sports accidents, falls, or vehicular collisions. The spondylolisthesis may lead to instability in the cervical spine, potentially compressing the spinal cord or nerve roots, which can result in neurological deficits. Symptoms may include neck pain, limited range of motion, and in severe cases, signs of myelopathy such as weakness, numbness, or loss of coordination. Diagnosis typically involves a thorough clinical evaluation, imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to assess the degree of displacement and any associated injuries. Management may range from conservative treatment, including physical therapy and pain management, to surgical intervention for stabilization, depending on the severity of the displacement and neurological involvement.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in clinical presentation and severity of injury
  • Need for precise documentation of mechanism of injury
  • Differentiation from other cervical spine injuries
  • Potential for associated neurological deficits

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the mechanism of injury
  • Failure to document neurological examination findings
  • Misclassification of the type of spondylolisthesis
  • Lack of imaging results in the medical record

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Complete documentation of the patient's presentation, mechanism of injury, and initial assessment findings.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Trauma patients presenting with neck pain after a fall or motor vehicle accident.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all relevant imaging studies are documented and correlate with the clinical findings.

Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed operative reports including indications for surgery, findings, and procedures performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients requiring surgical stabilization due to significant displacement or neurological compromise.

Billing Considerations

Document any pre-existing conditions that may affect surgical outcomes.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S12.15 When
  • Follow the ICD
  • CM coding guidelines for injuries, ensuring accurate documentation of the injury's cause, location, and any associated conditions
  • Use additional codes to capture any neurological deficits or complications

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S12.15 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

22551CPT Code

Arthrodesis, anterior or posterior technique, cervical spine

Clinical Scenario

Used for surgical stabilization of spondylolisthesis.

Documentation Requirements

Operative report detailing the procedure and indications.

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the surgical approach is clearly documented.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of cervical spine injuries, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes. S12.15 provides a clear distinction for traumatic spondylolisthesis, which was less defined in ICD-9.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of cervical spine injuries, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes. S12.15 provides a clear distinction for traumatic spondylolisthesis, which was less defined in ICD-9.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes. S12.15 provides a clear distinction for traumatic spondylolisthesis, which was less defined in ICD-9.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary cause of S12.15?

S12.15 is primarily caused by traumatic events such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, or sports injuries that lead to the displacement of the second cervical vertebra.