ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS12.63

S12.63

Billable

Unspecified traumatic spondylolisthesis of seventh cervical vertebra

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S12.63 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of unspecified traumatic spondylolisthesis of seventh cervical vertebra.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Unspecified traumatic spondylolisthesis of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) refers to a condition where there is a displacement of the C7 vertebra due to trauma. This condition can occur as a result of high-impact injuries such as motor vehicle accidents, falls from heights, or sports-related injuries. The spondylolisthesis may lead to spinal instability, nerve compression, and associated symptoms such as neck pain, radiculopathy, or myelopathy. 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 to the spinal cord or surrounding structures. Management may include conservative treatment such as physical therapy and pain management, or surgical intervention in cases of significant instability or neurological compromise. Complications can include chronic pain, persistent neurological deficits, or the need for further surgical procedures.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in clinical presentation and severity of injury
  • Need for precise documentation of trauma mechanism
  • Potential for associated injuries requiring additional coding
  • Differentiation from other cervical spine injuries

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the mechanism of injury
  • Failure to specify the level of vertebral involvement
  • Misclassification of the type of spondylolisthesis
  • Lack of supporting imaging documentation

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must include details of the mechanism of injury, initial assessment findings, and any imaging results.

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

Operative reports must detail the surgical approach, findings, and any corrective measures taken.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients undergoing surgical stabilization for traumatic spondylolisthesis.

Billing Considerations

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

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S12.63 When
  • Follow the official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring accurate documentation of the injury's mechanism, associated conditions, and any relevant imaging findings

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S12.63 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

22551CPT Code

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

Clinical Scenario

Used in cases where surgical intervention is required for spondylolisthesis.

Documentation Requirements

Operative report detailing the procedure and indications.

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the diagnosis correlates with the surgical procedure performed.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of traumatic injuries, improving the granularity of data for cervical spine injuries and enhancing the ability to track outcomes and resource utilization.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of traumatic injuries, improving the granularity of data for cervical spine injuries and enhancing the ability to track outcomes and resource utilization.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of traumatic injuries, improving the granularity of data for cervical spine injuries and enhancing the ability to track outcomes and resource utilization.

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 spondylolisthesis?

Spondylolisthesis can be caused by trauma, degenerative changes, or congenital factors. In the case of S12.63, it specifically refers to trauma-related displacement.