Intervertebral annulus fibrosus defect, small, lumbar region

This code describes a minor tear or disruption in the outer fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus) of an intervertebral disc specifically located in the lumbar spine. This defect is characterized as "small," indicating a limited extent of annular damage without significant herniation or extrusion of the nucleus pulposus.

Use this code when diagnostic imaging (e.g., MRI) or surgical findings confirm a small annular tear in a lumbar intervertebral disc. This often presents with localized low back pain, potentially radiating, but without clear signs of nerve root compression typically associated with larger disc herniations. Documentation should clearly specify the lumbar region and the small size of the defect.

• Differentiate from larger annular tears or disc herniations, which have distinct codes.
• Ensure documentation specifies "small" and "lumbar region" to support this specific code.
• Do not use for degenerative disc disease without a documented annular defect.