Subluxation of C3/C4 cervical vertebrae, sequela

This code signifies a long-term complication or residual effect stemming from a prior subluxation (partial dislocation) of the C3/C4 cervical vertebrae. It indicates that the patient is experiencing ongoing issues directly attributable to this past injury, rather than an acute or current subluxation.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states a patient's current symptoms or condition are a direct sequela of a previously sustained C3/C4 cervical subluxation. This is appropriate for chronic pain, limited range of motion, or neurological deficits that persist after the initial injury has healed to its maximum medical improvement. The medical record should explicitly link the current presentation to the historical subluxation.

• Always use this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the code for the specific sequela (e.g., chronic pain, myelopathy).
• Ensure documentation specifies "sequela" or "due to old injury" for the C3/C4 subluxation, not an acute or current injury.
• Distinguish carefully from current subluxations (S13.14XA-S13.14XD), which would use an acute injury code with an appropriate seventh character.