S32.04
Fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra
S32.04 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code header for fracture of fourth lumbar 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 S32.040 Wedge compression fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra, S32.041 Stable burst fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra, S32.042 Unstable burst fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra, S32.048 Other fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra and 1 more. Its coding notes include a Code first instruction, a Use additional code instruction, 1 Excludes1 entry and 9 Excludes2 entries.
7th characters
Every code below needs one of these (defined at S32).
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S32
- 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.-)
Excludes1
Not coded here. The listed conditions generally should not be reported together.
Excludes2
Not included here. Both codes may be reported if the patient has both conditions.
Also from chapter/block level (8 notes)
- birth trauma (P10-P15)
- obstetric trauma (O70-O71)
Includes
Further defines or gives examples of the content of the category.
- fracture of lumbosacral neural arch
- fracture of lumbosacral spinous process
- fracture of lumbosacral transverse process
- fracture of lumbosacral vertebra
- fracture of lumbosacral vertebral arch
Also from chapter/block level (6 notes)
- injuries to the abdominal wall
- injuries to the anus
- injuries to the buttock
- injuries to the external genitalia
- injuries to the flank
- injuries to the groin
Notes
- A fracture not indicated as displaced or nondisplaced should be coded to displaced
- A fracture not indicated as opened 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.
More specific codes under S32.04 5
- S32.040Wedge compression fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra7th char needed
- S32.041Stable burst fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra7th char needed
- S32.042Unstable burst fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra7th char needed
- S32.048Other fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra7th char needed
- S32.049Unspecified fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra7th char needed