Complete lesion at C8 level of cervical spinal cord, sequela

This code signifies a complete transection or severe disruption of the cervical spinal cord at the C8 vertebral level, resulting in a permanent loss of motor and sensory function below that point. It indicates a chronic or late effect of such an injury, rather than the initial acute event.

This code is appropriate for documenting the long-term neurological deficits and complications arising from a complete C8 spinal cord injury. It should be used in follow-up encounters for patients with established paraplegia or quadriplegia due to this specific injury. Documentation should clearly state "sequela," "late effect," or indicate a chronic condition resulting from the original trauma.

• Always use in conjunction with codes for the specific neurological deficits (e.g., G82.50 for quadriplegia).
• Do not use for acute spinal cord injuries; refer to the acute injury codes (e.g., S14.118A for initial encounter).
• Ensure documentation specifies "complete lesion" and the C8 level; partial lesions or unspecified levels require different codes.