Traumatic spondylopathy

This code describes a degenerative spinal condition resulting from a past injury, characterized by changes such as disc degeneration, osteophyte formation, or spinal instability. It indicates a chronic or long-term spinal pathology directly attributable to a previous traumatic event.

Use this code when documentation clearly links a current spondylopathic condition (e.g., spondylosis, degenerative disc disease) to a specific, prior spinal trauma. This is appropriate for patients presenting with chronic back or neck pain, radiculopathy, or myelopathy where the etiology is identified as post-traumatic.

• Ensure the medical record explicitly states a history of trauma as the cause of the spondylopathy.
• Do not use for acute traumatic injuries; this code is for the sequelae of trauma.
• Consider additional codes for specific symptoms (e.g., pain, radiculopathy) or associated conditions.