S33.5 is the authoritative medical code for Sprain of ligaments of lumbar spine. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for sprain of ligaments of lumbar spine (ICD-10-CM S33.5), ensuring healthcare documentation aligns with 2026 federal coding standards.
Billing Status: NO. This is a clinician non-billable / parent hierarchy grouping in the ICD-10-CM system.
Official Registry Overview & Definition
Sprain of ligaments of lumbar spine is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code S33.5. A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission. Includes: avulsion of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis; laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis; sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis; traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis; traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis; traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis; traumatic tear of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis; 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. Excludes1 (not coded here): nontraumatic rupture or displacement of lumbar intervertebral disc NOS M51.-; obstetric damage to pelvic joints and ligaments O71.6. Excludes2 (not included here): dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of hip S73.-; strain of muscle of lower back and pelvis S39.01-; burns and corrosions T20-T32; effects of foreign body in anus and rectum T18.5; effects of foreign body in genitourinary tract T19.-; effects of foreign body in stomach, small intestine and colon T18.2-T18.4; frostbite T33-T34; insect bite or sting, venomous T63.4. Code also: any associated open wound. 7th character: The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S33.
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S33.5 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.
Includes
Conditions the official ICD-10-CM tabular list includes under this code.
- avulsion of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
- laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
- sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
- traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
- traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
- traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
- traumatic tear of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
- 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
Excludes1 — Not Coded Here
Conditions that can never be reported with this code; the two are mutually exclusive.
- nontraumatic rupture or displacement of lumbar intervertebral disc NOS M51.-
- obstetric damage to pelvic joints and ligaments O71.6
Excludes2 — Not Included Here
Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.
- dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of hip S73.-
- strain of muscle of lower back and pelvis S39.01-
- burns and corrosions T20-T32
- effects of foreign body in anus and rectum T18.5
- effects of foreign body in genitourinary tract T19.-
- effects of foreign body in stomach, small intestine and colon T18.2-T18.4
- frostbite T33-T34
- insect bite or sting, venomous T63.4
Code Also
Additional codes that may be required to fully describe the encounter.
- any associated open wound
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
Can S33.5 be billed directly?
No. S33.5 (Sprain of ligaments of lumbar spine) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.
Does S33.5 require a 7th character?
Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S33.
What can't be coded together with S33.5?
Per Excludes1 instructions, S33.5 must not be reported with: nontraumatic rupture or displacement of lumbar intervertebral disc NOS (M51.-); obstetric damage to pelvic joints and ligaments (O71.6).
Can S33.5 be reported alongside related conditions?
Per Excludes2 instructions, S33.5 and the following may both be reported when both are present: dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of hip (S73.-); strain of muscle of lower back and pelvis (S39.01-); burns and corrosions (T20-T32); effects of foreign body in anus and rectum (T18.5).
Indexed Clinical Terms (2)
Clinical term phrases from the official ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries that map to this code.
- Sprain (joint) (ligament), lumbar (spine)
- Sprain (joint) (ligament), spine, lumbar
Related Codes & Numerical Sequence (Crawl Map)
Search engines and indexers are advised to traverse adjacent medical codes in this sub-chapter range to find correlated diagnoses or therapeutic procedures: