Traumatic spondylopathy, lumbosacral region

This code describes a pathological fracture or stress fracture of a vertebra in the lumbosacral region, specifically caused by trauma. It indicates a structural defect or instability of the vertebral body resulting from an injury, rather than degenerative processes. This condition can lead to pain, neurological symptoms, and spinal instability.

Use this code for patients presenting with a vertebral fracture in the lumbar or sacral spine directly attributable to an acute or chronic traumatic event. Documentation should clearly state the traumatic etiology of the spondylopathy, such as a fall, accident, or repetitive stress injury. This code is appropriate when the trauma is the primary cause of the vertebral defect.

• Differentiate from M48.4x (Fatigue fracture of vertebra) and M48.5x (Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified) by the explicit traumatic origin.
• Ensure documentation specifies the lumbosacral region; if the specific lumbar or sacral segment is known, a more specific code might be available.
• Sequence this code after any acute injury codes if the trauma is recent and directly led to the spondylopathy.