Multiple sites of spinal cord injury without evidence of spinal bone injury

This code signifies a traumatic injury affecting multiple segments of the spinal cord, where diagnostic imaging (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI) does not reveal any associated fracture, dislocation, or other bony damage to the vertebral column. It indicates direct neurological damage to the spinal cord itself, rather than secondary to skeletal trauma.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states "spinal cord injury" at multiple levels (e.g., cervical and thoracic) without any mention of vertebral fracture or dislocation. This is often seen in cases of severe blunt trauma, hyperextension/hyperflexion injuries, or whiplash, where the cord is stretched or compressed without bony involvement.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "multiple sites" of injury; otherwise, a more specific single-site code should be used.
• This code is for the spinal cord injury itself, not for associated neurological deficits (e.g., paralysis), which would be coded separately.
• Distinguish from codes for spinal cord contusion or concussion if the documentation specifies those less severe forms of injury.