S34.21 Injury of nerve root of lumbar spine

The ICD-10-CM code for Injury of nerve root of lumbar spine is S34.21 (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 S34

39 codes (31 billable)

FY2026 Status

Stable since FY2024

Also Known As

ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index entries that lead to S34.21:

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

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