S32.042 Unstable burst fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra

The ICD-10-CM code for Unstable burst fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra is S32.042 (FY2026). It is a billable, claim-ready diagnosis code.

Classification

Chapter

19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)

Section

S30-S39: Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals (S30-S39)

Category S32

178 codes (141 billable)

FY2026 Status

Stable since FY2024

Also Known As

ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index entries that lead to S32.042:

• Fracture, traumatic (abduction) (adduction) (separation) › vertebra, vertebral (arch) (body) (column) (neural arch) (pedicle) (spinous process) (transverse process) › lumbar › fourth › burst (stable) › unstable

Official Coding Guidelines

Sequence blood vessel/nerve injury first (fragment)

injury is to the blood vessels or nerves, that injury should be sequenced first.

Do not assign injury codes for iatrogenic injuries; code complication

3) Iatrogenic injuries Injury codes from Chapter 19 should not be assigned for injuries that occur during, or as a result of, a medical intervention. Assign the appropriate complication code(s).

Source: CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026

References

• CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Code Set and Guidelines, FY2026
• CDC/NCHS — ICD-10-CM Files and Browser Tool