Other cervical disc degeneration at C5-C6 level

This code signifies degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc located between the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae (C5-C6), excluding disc displacement or herniation. These changes typically involve desiccation, loss of disc height, osteophyte formation, and endplate sclerosis, contributing to chronic neck pain and potential neurological symptoms.

Apply this code when documentation specifies non-displaced degenerative disc disease at the C5-C6 level. This is appropriate for patients presenting with cervicalgia, radiculopathy, or myelopathy attributed to documented C5-C6 disc degeneration without evidence of a herniated nucleus pulposus or other specific disc disorders.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "degeneration" at the C5-C6 level and rules out disc displacement (M50.2-) or other specific disc disorders (M50.1-).
• If radiculopathy or myelopathy is present and linked to the degeneration, assign an additional code from categories G99.2 (myelopathy) or G54.2 (cervical radiculopathy) as a secondary diagnosis.
• Laterality is not specified for this code, as disc degeneration is typically a central or bilateral process.