Unstable burst fracture of second thoracic vertebra
ICD-10 S22.022 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of unstable burst fracture of second thoracic vertebra.
An unstable burst fracture of the second thoracic vertebra (T2) is a severe spinal injury characterized by the vertebra's failure due to high-energy trauma, often resulting in the vertebra shattering into multiple fragments. This type of fracture can lead to spinal cord injury, neurological deficits, and significant instability of the thoracic spine. Patients typically present with acute back pain, possible neurological symptoms such as weakness or sensory loss, and may have associated injuries such as rib fractures, pneumothorax, or hemothorax due to the proximity of the thoracic cavity. The management of an unstable burst fracture often requires surgical intervention, such as decompression and stabilization, to prevent further neurological compromise and to restore spinal alignment. The complexity of this injury necessitates thorough documentation of the mechanism of injury, associated injuries, and the treatment plan, as these factors significantly influence patient outcomes and coding accuracy.
Detailed operative reports, imaging studies, and pre/post-operative assessments.
Surgical repair of unstable fractures, management of complications like infections.
Ensure clarity in the surgical approach and any hardware used.
Comprehensive trauma assessments, including mechanism of injury and associated injuries.
Management of polytrauma patients with thoracic injuries.
Document all injuries and interventions to support coding.
Used in surgical management of unstable burst fractures.
Operative report detailing the procedure and any hardware used.
Orthopedic surgeons must document the rationale for surgical intervention.
Stable burst fractures do not compromise spinal stability or the spinal canal, while unstable burst fractures involve significant displacement of fragments and potential neurological injury.
