S12.29
Other fracture of third cervical vertebra
S12.29 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code header for other fracture of third cervical vertebra. Report a more specific code from it instead. It is part of the FY2027 code set, effective October 1, 2026. The more specific codes under it are S12.290 Other displaced fracture of third cervical vertebra and S12.291 Other nondisplaced fracture of third cervical vertebra. Its coding notes include a Code first instruction, a Use additional code instruction and 9 Excludes2 entries.
7th characters
Every code below needs one of these (defined at S12).
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to all codes from subcategories S12.0-S12.6
- Ainitial encounter for closed fracture
- Binitial encounter for open fracture
- Dsubsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
- Gsubsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
- Ksubsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
- Ssequela
Guidelines tips
From the FY2027 Official Guidelines. ICD10Ref adds no rules of its own.
A fracture not stated as open or closed is coded closed, and one not stated as displaced or not displaced is coded displaced. Nonunion and malunion have their own 7th characters.
The 7th character depends on whether the patient is in active treatment, not on who sees the patient. An aftercare Z code is not used for injury aftercare.
Each injury gets its own code unless a combination code exists, with the most serious injury first. Superficial injuries at the same site as a more severe injury are not coded. Injuries during medical care are coded as complications.
Code first
If the underlying condition listed here is present and known, sequence it first.
Use additional code
Add the listed code as a secondary code, if known.
Also from chapter/block level (1 note)
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Excludes2
Not included here. Both codes may be reported if the patient has both conditions.
Also from chapter/block level (9 notes)
- birth trauma (P10-P15)
- obstetric trauma (O70-O71)
Includes
Further defines or gives examples of the content of the category.
- fracture of cervical neural arch
- fracture of cervical spine
- fracture of cervical spinous process
- fracture of cervical transverse process
- fracture of cervical vertebral arch
- fracture of neck
Also from chapter/block level (3 notes)
- injuries of nape
- injuries of supraclavicular region
- injuries of throat
Notes
- A fracture not indicated as displaced or nondisplaced should be coded to displaced
- A fracture not indicated as open or closed should be coded to closed
Also from chapter/block level (2 notes)
- Use secondary code(s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code
- The chapter uses the S-section for coding different types of injuries related to single body regions and the T-section to cover injuries to unspecified body regions as well as poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.