Unsp traum nondisp spondylolysis of sixth cervcal vert, init

This code signifies a traumatic injury to the sixth cervical vertebra (C6) where a vertebral body has slipped forward over the one below it (spondylolisthesis), but the displacement is not specified as to its type or severity. The fracture itself is nondisplaced, meaning the bone fragments are still in their normal anatomical alignment, and the injury was sustained due to trauma.

Use this code for a patient presenting for the initial treatment of a newly diagnosed traumatic spondylolisthesis of the C6 vertebra, where the displacement is not further characterized (e.g., as stable or unstable) and the associated fracture is nondisplaced. Documentation should clearly state "traumatic spondylolisthesis C6," "nondisplaced fracture," and indicate the initial encounter for this specific injury.

• Ensure documentation specifies "traumatic" etiology; otherwise, a non-traumatic spondylolisthesis code may be more appropriate.
• Verify the encounter is for the initial treatment of the fracture; subsequent encounters will require a different seventh character.
• Confirm the fracture is explicitly documented as "nondisplaced" and the spondylolisthesis as "unspecified" regarding its type.