Spond in diseases classd elswhr, occipt-atlan-ax region

This code signifies a disorder of the vertebrae or intervertebral discs in the craniocervical junction (occiput, atlas, and axis) that arises as a manifestation of another underlying systemic disease. It indicates a secondary spondylopathy, not a primary degenerative or traumatic condition of this specific region.

Apply this code when documentation specifies a spondylopathy affecting the occiput, C1, and C2 vertebrae, and explicitly links it to an underlying systemic condition (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis). The medical record should clearly state the secondary nature of the spinal involvement.

• Always sequence the underlying systemic disease code first, as this code represents a manifestation.
• Do not use for primary degenerative conditions or acute injuries of the occipito-atlanto-axial region.
• Ensure documentation specifies the exact region (occipito-atlanto-axial) to avoid using a more general cervical spondylopathy code.