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M47.817
ICD-10-CM
Lumbosacral Spondylosis

Understanding Lumbosacral Spondylosis: Find information on diagnosis, treatment, and clinical documentation. This resource covers medical coding for Lumbosacral Spondylosis, including ICD-10 codes, and relevant healthcare terminology. Learn about degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, and other related conditions affecting the lumbosacral spine. Explore symptoms, causes, and management strategies for Lumbosacral Spondylosis with a focus on accurate clinical documentation and coding practices.

Also known as

Lumbar Spondylosis
Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbosacral Spine

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Degenerative changes in the lower spine, including discs, joints, and bones.
  • Clinical Signs : Lower back pain, stiffness, radiating pain to legs, numbness or weakness.
  • Common Settings : Primary care, orthopedics, pain management, physical therapy.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC M47.817 Coding
M47.81

Other spondylosis

Spondylosis of the lumbosacral region.

M47.2

Spondylosis with myelopathy

Spondylosis causing spinal cord compression.

M54.5

Low back pain

Pain localized to the lower back region.

M51.1

Lumbago due to degeneration

Lower back pain associated with degenerative changes.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is there myelopathy or radiculopathy?

  • Yes

    Myelopathy predominant?

  • No

    Is there intervertebral disc displacement?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Lower back degeneration
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Lumbar disc herniation

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Lumbosacral spondylosis ICD-10 code M47.816
  • Document symptom onset and duration
  • Radiculopathy, myelopathy, or neurogenic claudication?
  • Imaging evidence: X-ray, CT, or MRI findings
  • Correlate symptoms with imaging findings

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Code Specificity

    Using unspecified codes (e.g., M47.9) when more specific documentation supports M47.1, M47.2, or M47.8, impacting reimbursement and data accuracy.

  • Radiculopathy Coding

    Incorrectly coding radiculopathy (e.g., M54.1) separately when it is integral to spondylosis, leading to overcoding and compliance issues.

  • Osteoarthritis Confusion

    Miscoding spondylosis as osteoarthritis (M15-M19) due to similar symptoms, resulting in inaccurate diagnosis reporting and potential denials.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • ICD-10 M47.816, M47.817 accurate coding for lumbosacral spondylosis
  • Document symptom onset, severity, and impact on ADLs for CDI
  • Regular imaging, PT notes support medical necessity, ensure compliance
  • Query physician for clarity if documentation lacks specificity for spondylosis
  • HCC coding: Capture comorbidities linked to spondylosis for risk adjustment

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify low back pain documentation: ICD-10 M47.816, M54.5
  • Assess for radicular symptoms: sensory/motor/reflex changes
  • Imaging confirmation: X-ray/MRI showing disc degeneration
  • Review patient history for relevant risk factors: age, activity

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Lumbosacral Spondylosis Reimbursement: Coding accuracy impacts Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Groups (MS-DRG) assignment and hospital payments.
  • Quality Metrics Impact: Accurate coding affects quality reporting measures, such as Patient Safety Indicators (PSI) and Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HAC).
  • Coding Optimization: Correctly coding associated symptoms like radiculopathy optimizes reimbursement and quality data.
  • Denial Management: Accurate Spondylosis coding minimizes claim denials related to medical necessity and documentation.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code M47.816 for lumbosacral spondylosis
  • Specify location and laterality
  • Document radiculopathy if present
  • Look for osteophyte code if applicable
  • Consider M54.5 if back pain dominant

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints consistent with lumbosacral spondylosis.  Symptoms include lower back pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.  The patient reports pain may radiate to the buttocks and thighs, occasionally described as a dull ache or sharp pain exacerbated by activity and relieved by rest.  Physical examination reveals tenderness to palpation in the lumbosacral region, potentially with muscle spasms and limited spinal flexion and extension.  Neurological examination is within normal limits, with no evidence of radiculopathy or myelopathy.  Radiographic imaging, including X-ray of the lumbosacral spine, demonstrates degenerative changes such as osteophyte formation, disc space narrowing, and facet joint hypertrophy, confirming the diagnosis of lumbosacral spondylosis.  Differential diagnoses considered include lumbar disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and osteoarthritis.  The patient's current pain level is managed with conservative treatment, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy focusing on core strengthening and flexibility exercises, and patient education on proper body mechanics.  Follow-up is scheduled to monitor symptom progression and adjust treatment as needed.  Future treatment options may include epidural steroid injections or surgical intervention if symptoms persist or worsen.  ICD-10 code M47.816, Lumbosacral spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, is documented.
Lumbosacral Spondylosis - AI-Powered ICD-10 Documentation