Unsp injury at C7 level of cervical spinal cord, sequela

This code signifies a long-term or late effect resulting from an unspecified injury to the C7 level of the cervical spinal cord. This could encompass persistent neurological deficits, pain, or functional limitations that manifest after the acute phase of the original injury has passed. The specific nature of the original injury (e.g., fracture, contusion) is not documented or is unknown.

Use this code when a patient presents with ongoing symptoms or conditions directly attributable to a past, unspecified C7 spinal cord injury. This code is appropriate for follow-up encounters or when the sequela is the primary reason for the visit, and the acute injury is no longer being treated. Documentation must clearly link the current condition to a previous C7 spinal cord injury.

• Always assign this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the code for the specific sequela (e.g., chronic pain, spasticity, paralysis).
• Ensure documentation explicitly states "sequela" or "late effect" and specifies the C7 level of the cervical spinal cord.
• Avoid using this code for acute injuries; instead, use the appropriate acute injury code from the S14.1- series without the "S" seventh character.