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ICD-10/S34.21

S34.21 ICD-10-CM Code: Injury of nerve root of lumbar spine

Billing Status: NO. This is a clinician non-billable / parent hierarchy grouping in the ICD-10-CM system.

Code Set: Valid FY2026 and FY2027. FY2026 took effect October 1, 2025.

Official Registry Overview & Definition

Injury of nerve root of lumbar spine is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (S34.21). A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission.

Official Tabular Instructional Notes

Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S34.21 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.

Includes

Conditions the official ICD-10-CM tabular list includes under this code.

  • 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

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.

  • 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:
  • fracture of vertebra (S22.0-, S32.0-)
  • open wound of abdomen, lower back and pelvis (S31.-)
  • transient paralysis (R29.5)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance

Can S34.21 be billed directly?

No. S34.21 (Injury of nerve root 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 S34.21 require a 7th character?

Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S34.

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S34.21 in its code family, with their registry titles.

  • S34.139 — Unspecified injury to sacral spinal cord
  • S34.139A — Unspecified injury to sacral spinal cord, initial encounter
  • S34.139D — Unspecified injury to sacral spinal cord, subsequent encounter
  • S34.139S — Unspecified injury to sacral spinal cord, sequela
  • S34.2 — Injury of nerve root of lumbar and sacral spine
  • S34.21XA — Injury of nerve root of lumbar spine, initial encounter
  • S34.21XD — Injury of nerve root of lumbar spine, subsequent encounter
  • S34.21XS — Injury of nerve root of lumbar spine, sequela
  • S34.22 — Injury of nerve root of sacral spine
  • S34.22XA — Injury of nerve root of sacral spine, initial encounter

View all codes in the S34 family

Indexed Clinical Terms (3)

Clinical term phrases from the official ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries that map to this code.

  • Injury, nerve NEC, lumbar spinal, root
  • Injury, nerve NEC, spinal, root, lumbar
  • Injury, spinal (cord), nerve root NEC, lumbar