Spondylosis is a degenerative condition that may cause potential loss of normal spine structure and function. Also called spinal osteoarthritis, this condition causes changes in the spine such as bone spurs and degenerating intervertebral discs between the vertebrae. Even though aging is the primary cause, the location and the rate of degeneration depends on and varies from one individual to another. The condition can affect any region of the spine like – cervical (neck), thoracic (upper, mid back), lumbar (low back) or lumbosacral (low back/sacrum). Treatment for this condition initially focuses on non-invasive treatment methods such as pain medications, physical therapy exercises, chiropractic manipulation and spinal injections to reduce the pain, discomfort and stiffness due to this condition. On the other hand, spine surgery will be considered only as a last resort if the pain and other symptoms do not improve with non-invasive techniques. With timely diagnosis and administration of the correct treatment modalities, the symptoms can be relieved to a great extent. Outsourcing medical billing tasks to an experienced medical billing company can help rheumatologists focus on their claim submission tasks and receive correct reimbursement on time. Show As per reports from the Cleveland Clinic, spondylosis is present in more than 90 percent of people aged 60 and older. The condition is an aging phenomenon. With age, the bones and ligaments in the spine wear out, leading to bone spurs (osteoarthritis). Also, the intervertebral discs degenerate and weaken, which can lead to disc herniation and bulging discs. Genetics and spinal injuries are expected to increase the chances of developing this specific condition. Track the Symptoms Some people don’t experience any specific symptoms. For others, the symptoms involve chronic/severe pain and stiffness which may directly affect their ability to perform normal day-to-day activities. Generally, symptoms are often reported between the ages of 20 and 50. The rate at which spondylosis occurs is partly related to genetic predisposition as well as injury history. Common signs and symptoms include – back pain, neck pain (that may spread into the shoulder or down the arm), muscle weakness, tingling, numbness and weakness in your arms, hands, legs or feet, lack of coordination and difficulty walking and loss of bladder or bowel control. Seeking Treatment for Spondylosis Making a correct diagnosis of spondylosis involves testing for movement and determining the affected nerves, bones, and muscles. Physicians will ask questions about the patient’s symptoms and conduct a detailed evaluation of his/her previous medical history. A detailed physical examination will be conducted wherein the physicians will test the patient’s reflexes, check for muscle weakness or sensory deficits, and test the range of motion of the neck and back area. Physicians may also request diagnostic imaging tests like X-ray, MRI or CT scans to determine the type of bone spurs on vertebral bodies in the spine, thickening of facet joints and narrowing of the intervertebral disc spaces. There is no specific treatment program to reverse the process of spondylosis, because it is a degenerative process. However, usage of certain modalities like pain medications, physical exercises, spinal injections and surgical interventions can potentially reduce the intensity and severity of symptoms to a great extent. Rheumatology medical coding involves using the specific ICD-10 diagnosis codes for reporting spondylosis on your medical claims. ICD-10-CM codes used to indicate a diagnosis of spondylosis include – M47 – Spondylosis M47.0 – Anterior spinal and vertebral artery compression syndromes M47.01 – Anterior spinal artery compression syndromes
M47.02 – Vertebral artery compression syndromes
M47.1 – Other spondylosis with myelopathy
M47.2 – Other spondylosis with radiculopathy
M47.8 – Other spondylosis M47.81 – Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy
M47.89 – Other spondylosis
M47.9 – Spondylosis, unspecified As spondylosis is a degenerative process, there is no known method to prevent it. However, some measures like exercising regularly, wearing a soft neck brace or soft collar could provide temporary relief from the neck and back pain that spondylosis may cause. Medical billing and coding for spondylosis can be complex, as there are several codes associated with the condition. By outsourcing these tasks to an established medical billing and coding company that offers the services of AAPC-certified coding specialists, rheumatology practices can ensure correct and timely medical billing and claims submission. What is the CPT code for degenerative disc disease?36 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region.
What is the ICDICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G31
G31.
What is another name for degenerative disc disease?Degenerative disc disease (spondylosis) can occur in any area of the spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar), but is most common in the low back. It's not actually a disease, but rather a condition in which your discs “degenerate” and lose their flexibility and height to cushion the spine.
What is the diagnosis code for DDD?722.51 is the correct diagnosis code for thoracic degenerative disc disease. 722.52 is the accurate diagnosis code for DDD of the lumbar or lumbosacral intervertebral disc.
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