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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS13.10

S13.10

Billable

Subluxation and dislocation of unspecified cervical vertebrae

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S13.10 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of subluxation and dislocation of unspecified cervical vertebrae.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Subluxation and dislocation of cervical vertebrae refers to a condition where one or more cervical vertebrae are misaligned or displaced from their normal position. This can occur due to trauma, such as a fall, motor vehicle accident, or sports injury, leading to potential spinal cord injury or nerve root compression. Symptoms may include neck pain, stiffness, neurological deficits, and in severe cases, paralysis. The diagnosis typically involves a thorough clinical examination, imaging studies such as X-rays or MRI to assess the extent of the injury, and to rule out associated injuries. Management may include conservative treatment like immobilization and physical therapy, or surgical intervention in cases of significant displacement or neurological compromise. Accurate coding is essential for proper treatment reimbursement and tracking of injury patterns in epidemiological studies.

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 complications

Audit Risk Factors

  • Insufficient documentation of the mechanism of injury
  • Failure to document neurological assessments
  • Inconsistent use of terminology in clinical notes
  • Lack of imaging results in the medical record

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must include a detailed account of the mechanism of injury, initial assessment findings, and any imaging studies performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with neck pain after a fall or motor vehicle accident, requiring immediate evaluation for potential spinal injury.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all neurological assessments are documented, as this impacts both treatment decisions and coding.

Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Operative reports must detail the surgical procedure performed, indications for surgery, and any intraoperative findings.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients requiring surgical intervention for cervical dislocation or subluxation due to trauma.

Billing Considerations

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

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S13.10 When
  • Follow the official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the code reflects the specific nature of the injury and is supported by clinical documentation
  • Use additional codes to specify any associated conditions or complications

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S13.10 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 dislocation or subluxation.

Documentation Requirements

Operative report detailing the procedure, indications, and any complications.

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the surgical necessity is well-documented to support the procedure.

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. S13.10 provides a general code for unspecified injuries, which can be useful in cases where the specifics are not yet determined.

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. S13.10 provides a general code for unspecified injuries, which can be useful in cases where the specifics are not yet determined.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes. S13.10 provides a general code for unspecified injuries, which can be useful in cases where the specifics are not yet determined.

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 difference between subluxation and dislocation?

Subluxation refers to a partial dislocation where the joint surfaces are misaligned but still in contact, while dislocation is a complete displacement of the joint surfaces.