Dislocation of C2/C3 cervical vertebrae, initial encounter

This code signifies a complete displacement of the C2 vertebra from the C3 vertebra in the cervical spine. This injury involves the disruption of the articulating surfaces of these two vertebrae, leading to instability and potential neurological compromise. It is an acute injury, indicating the patient is receiving active treatment for the dislocation.

This code is appropriate for documenting the initial treatment phase of a patient presenting with a C2/C3 cervical vertebral dislocation. This includes emergency department visits, initial hospital admissions, and the first surgical intervention for reduction or stabilization. Documentation should clearly state "dislocation" and specify the C2/C3 level.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "dislocation" versus "subluxation" (S13.231A for subluxation).
• Verify the specific vertebral levels involved; this code is only for C2/C3.
• Confirm this is the initial encounter for treatment of the injury; subsequent encounters will use different seventh characters.