Ankylosing spondylitis of multiple sites in spine

This diagnosis code signifies a chronic inflammatory arthropathy primarily affecting the axial skeleton, specifically involving multiple locations within the spine. It is characterized by progressive stiffness and pain due to inflammation of the sacroiliac joints and vertebral column, potentially leading to spinal fusion.

This code is appropriate for patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis where the disease process affects more than one spinal segment (e.g., cervical and lumbar spine, or thoracic and lumbar spine). Documentation should clearly state the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis and specify involvement across multiple spinal sites.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "multiple sites" or lists specific affected spinal regions to support this code.
• Do not use this code if the ankylosing spondylitis is localized to a single spinal region; instead, use the more specific code for that site.
• Consider sequencing this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the main reason for the encounter, especially for management of the condition.