Central pain syndrome

Central pain syndrome is a chronic neurological condition resulting from damage to the central nervous system (brain or spinal cord), causing persistent, often severe, neuropathic pain. The pain can manifest as burning, aching, tingling, or a "pins and needles" sensation, and is typically localized to the body region affected by the CNS lesion. This condition is distinct from peripheral neuropathic pain.

This code is used when documentation clearly indicates pain originating from a lesion or dysfunction within the central nervous system, such as post-stroke pain, spinal cord injury pain, or pain associated with multiple sclerosis. Supporting documentation should specify the central nervous system etiology of the pain.

• Differentiate from peripheral neuropathic pain; this code specifically requires a central nervous system origin.
• Always code the underlying central nervous system condition (e.g., stroke, spinal cord injury) first, followed by this code.
• Avoid using this code for generalized chronic pain without a documented central nervous system lesion.