Find information on herniated disc diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding (ICD-10-CM, M51), symptoms, treatment, and prognosis. Learn about healthcare best practices for herniated nucleus pulposus, slipped disc, radiculopathy, and sciatica related to disc herniation. This resource provides details for medical professionals on documenting, coding, and managing herniated disc cases. Explore resources for accurate diagnosis and treatment of lumbar, cervical, and thoracic herniated discs.
Also known as
Dorsalgia
Pain in the back, including herniated discs.
Spondylopathies
Degenerative disorders of the spine, sometimes leading to herniation.
Nerve root and plexus disorders
Compression of nerves, often due to herniated discs.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the herniated disc traumatic?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Herniated Disc |
| Spinal Stenosis |
| Radiculopathy |
Coding a herniated disc without specifying the exact spinal location (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, etc.) leads to inaccurate coding and claims.
Failing to document and code the laterality (right, left, or bilateral) of the herniated disc can cause coding errors and affect reimbursement.
Coding a herniated disc based on symptoms alone without confirmatory imaging (MRI, CT) can lead to denials and compliance issues.
Patient presents with complaints consistent with herniated disc symptoms, including low back pain, radiating pain, sciatica, and radiculopathy. Onset of pain was reported as [Date of Onset] and is described as [Character of pain: sharp, dull, burning, aching, etc.]. Pain is exacerbated by [Exacerbating factors: bending, lifting, sitting, standing, etc.] and alleviated by [Alleviating factors: rest, ice, heat, medication, etc.]. Patient reports pain radiating to the [Location of radiating pain: buttock, thigh, leg, foot, etc.] with associated numbness, tingling, and or muscle weakness. Physical examination reveals [Specific findings: positive straight leg raise test, limited range of motion, muscle spasms, tenderness to palpation, etc.]. Neurological examination demonstrates [Neurological findings: diminished reflexes, sensory deficits, motor weakness, etc.]. Differential diagnosis includes lumbar strain, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, and facet joint syndrome. Impression is herniated lumbar disc at [Level of herniation: L4-L5, L5-S1, etc.] based on clinical presentation and physical examination findings. Imaging studies, including MRI or CT scan, are recommended to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of disc herniation. Treatment plan includes conservative management with pain medication, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, and activity modification. Patient education provided regarding proper body mechanics, posture, and ergonomic considerations. Referral to pain management or spine specialist will be considered if symptoms do not improve with conservative treatment. Follow-up scheduled in [Duration of follow-up: two weeks, one month, etc.] to assess response to treatment.