Understanding Dorsalgia (back pain, spinal pain): Find information on diagnosis codes, clinical documentation tips, and healthcare resources for effective dorsalgia management. Learn about common causes, symptoms, and treatment options for back pain and spinal pain. This resource provides valuable insights for medical professionals, coders, and patients seeking accurate dorsalgia information.
Also known as
Dorsalgia and other dorsopathies
Covers various back pain conditions, including dorsalgia.
Low back pain
Specifies pain localized to the lower back region.
Injuries to the back
Includes traumatic injuries causing back pain.
Pain, not elsewhere classified
May be used for unspecified back pain if other codes don't fit.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the dorsalgia traumatic in origin?
Yes
Is a fracture specified?
No
Is there a specific underlying disease?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Pain in the back. |
| Pain in the cervical spine. |
| Pain in the lumbar spine. |
Coding back pain as dorsalgia without specifying location or etiology can lead to claim denials and inaccurate severity reflection.
Failing to code the underlying cause of back pain (e.g., disc herniation) leads to underreporting severity and lost revenue.
Insufficient documentation of back pain characteristics (e.g., acute/chronic, radiating) hinders accurate code assignment and compliance.
Q: What are the evidence-based differential diagnosis considerations for chronic dorsalgia with no neurological deficits?
A: Chronic dorsalgia without neurological deficits presents a diagnostic challenge requiring a systematic approach. Consider mechanical causes like facet joint syndrome, myofascial pain, and degenerative disc disease as primary suspects. Explore how postural imbalances, repetitive strain injuries, and underlying spondylosis contribute. While less common without neurological involvement, assess for ankylosing spondylitis, especially in younger patients with morning stiffness. Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis should be considered, although they usually present with other systemic manifestations. Visceral referred pain from organs like the kidneys, pancreas, or gallbladder warrants investigation, particularly if the pain pattern is atypical. For persistent dorsalgia, consider implementing advanced imaging like MRI to rule out occult fractures, infections, or tumors, especially in patients with red flag symptoms like unexplained weight loss or night sweats. Learn more about the utility of diagnostic nerve blocks in differentiating between somatic and radicular pain.
Q: How can clinicians effectively differentiate between mechanical dorsalgia and referred pain from thoracic spine nerve root compression?
A: Differentiating between mechanical dorsalgia and referred pain from thoracic nerve root compression relies on a combination of history, physical examination, and imaging. Mechanical dorsalgia typically presents with localized pain exacerbated by movement and relieved by rest. Assess for tenderness to palpation along the paraspinal muscles, intercostal spaces, and costovertebral joints. Thoracic radiculopathy, on the other hand, often presents with radiating band-like pain around the chest or abdomen, sometimes mimicking intercostal neuralgia. Evaluate for sensory changes like paresthesia or hyperalgesia in the corresponding dermatome. Motor weakness is less common in thoracic radiculopathy compared to cervical or lumbar levels. Consider implementing a thorough neurological exam including reflexes and sensory testing. MRI of the thoracic spine can visualize nerve root compression caused by disc herniations, bone spurs, or other space-occupying lesions. Explore how electrodiagnostic studies like electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) can help confirm the diagnosis and differentiate from peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes.
Patient presents with dorsalgia, also known as back pain or spinal pain. Onset of pain is reported as [onset - e.g., gradual, acute, insidious], located in the [location - e.g., thoracic, lumbar, sacral] spine, and described as [character - e.g., sharp, dull, aching, radiating, burning]. Pain severity is rated as [numeric pain scale rating] out of 10. Aggravating factors include [activities or positions that worsen pain - e.g., bending, lifting, prolonged sitting], while alleviating factors include [activities or positions that lessen pain - e.g., rest, ice, heat, medication]. Associated symptoms may include [related symptoms - e.g., muscle spasms, stiffness, numbness, tingling, weakness, radiculopathy]. Patient denies [pertinent negatives - e.g., fever, chills, weight loss, bowel or bladder incontinence]. Past medical history is significant for [relevant medical history - e.g., previous back injury, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis]. Physical examination reveals [objective findings - e.g., tenderness to palpation, limited range of motion, muscle spasm, positive straight leg raise]. Differential diagnosis includes [potential diagnoses - e.g., muscle strain, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease]. Assessment: Dorsalgia, likely secondary to [presumptive diagnosis - e.g., mechanical back pain]. Plan includes [treatment plan - e.g., conservative management with NSAIDs, physical therapy, activity modification; imaging studies such as X-ray or MRI if indicated; referral to specialist if necessary]. Patient education provided regarding proper body mechanics, pain management strategies, and follow-up care. ICD-10 code [appropriate ICD-10 code] is considered. Return to clinic scheduled in [duration] for reassessment.