Displacement of intervertebral disc, site unspecified, without myelopathy

This code signifies a herniated or bulging intervertebral disc where the specific spinal level (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) is not documented. The displacement is not causing compression of the spinal cord, which would manifest as myelopathy. It describes a structural abnormality of the disc without severe neurological compromise.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates intervertebral disc displacement but lacks specificity regarding the affected spinal region. This code is appropriate when the clinical presentation does not include signs or symptoms of spinal cord compression (e.g., spasticity, hyperreflexia, gait disturbance). Support for this code includes imaging reports (MRI, CT) showing disc herniation or bulge without mention of myelopathy, and physician notes describing disc displacement without specifying the vertebral level.

• Avoid using this code if the specific spinal region (e.g., cervical, lumbar) is documented; instead, use a more specific code from the 722.0-722.1 or 722.3-722.9 series.
• Do not use this code if myelopathy is present; codes from the 722.7 series (e.g., 722.71, 722.73) would be more appropriate.
• Ensure documentation explicitly states "without myelopathy" or that no signs/symptoms of myelopathy are noted to support the "without myelopathy" distinction.