Find information on lumbar bulging disc diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding (ICD-10-CM M51.26), healthcare guidelines, and treatment options. Learn about symptoms, causes, and differential diagnosis of lumbar disc bulge. Explore resources for physicians, healthcare professionals, and patients seeking information on lumbar bulging disc management. Understand the key aspects of accurate clinical documentation for a lumbar herniated disc, including specific terminology and best practices for coding lumbar disc disorders.
Also known as
Other intervertebral disc displacement
Covers lumbar disc displacement/bulging at specific levels.
Other specified intervertebral disc degeneration
Includes degenerative changes in lumbar discs without displacement.
Lumbago with sciatica
May be associated with lumbar disc bulging causing nerve root compression.
Low back pain
A broader category that may include pain from a bulging lumbar disc.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is there myelopathy or radiculopathy?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Lumbar Bulging Disc |
| Lumbar Herniated Disc |
| Lumbar Spinal Stenosis |
Coding lumbar bulging disc lacks specificity without laterality (right/left) and level documentation impacting reimbursement and data accuracy. Keywords: ICD-10 coding, lumbar disc, medical coding audit, healthcare compliance.
Insufficient clinical evidence to support the diagnosis of lumbar bulging disc can lead to coding errors and denials. Keywords: CDI, lumbar disc, physician query, medical record documentation, healthcare compliance.
Miscoding bulging disc as herniation or protrusion can lead to overcoding or undercoding, impacting reimbursement. Keywords: ICD-10 specificity, lumbar herniated disc, coding guidelines, medical coding audit.
Patient presents with complaints of low back pain, consistent with lumbar bulging disc symptoms. Onset of pain was gradual and reported as [duration of pain]. Patient describes the pain as [character of pain; e.g., dull, aching, sharp, radiating] and localized to the [specific location; e.g., lower lumbar region, radiating to buttock or leg]. Pain is aggravated by [aggravating factors; e.g., bending, lifting, sitting for extended periods] and alleviated by [alleviating factors; e.g., rest, ice, heat]. Associated symptoms include [associated symptoms; e.g., muscle spasms, numbness, tingling, weakness in lower extremities]. Physical examination reveals [objective findings; e.g., limited lumbar range of motion, tenderness to palpation, positive straight leg raise test]. Neurological examination demonstrates [neurological findings; e.g., intact reflexes, diminished sensation, muscle weakness]. Differential diagnosis includes lumbar strain, lumbar spondylosis, herniated disc, and spinal stenosis. Assessment: Lumbar bulging disc at [specific disc level; e.g., L4-L5, L5-S1] is suspected. Plan includes [treatment plan; e.g., conservative management with NSAIDs, physical therapy, activity modification; imaging studies such as MRI of the lumbar spine to confirm diagnosis; referral to specialist if indicated]. Patient education provided regarding proper body mechanics, pain management strategies, and expected prognosis. Follow-up scheduled in [duration; e.g., two weeks] to assess response to treatment.