ICD-10-CM Code For Fracture Of Cervical Vertebra And Other Parts Of Neck: Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group S12 includes fractures of the cervical vertebrae and other parts of the neck, covering injuries such as odontoid fractures, fractures of the C1–C7 vertebrae, and fractures of other neck bony structures. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document traumatic neck injuries, capturing details about fracture site, laterality, and associated complications or sequelae. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM S12 group supports proper claim adjudication and complete clinical documentation for appropriate reimbursement.

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ICD-10-CM S12: Fracture Of Cervical Vertebra And Other Parts Of Neck Overview

The ICD-10-CM S12 diagnosis group represents fractures of the cervical vertebrae and other bony structures of the neck, including traumatic injuries to the transverse and spinous processes and odontoid. These codes target the musculoskeletal system of the cervical spine and surrounding neck structures. Accurate coding matters for reimbursement because it captures injury specificity, severity, and associated complications that affect claim adjudication and payment.

When to Use

Use a code from this group when the clinical documentation identifies a fracture of a cervical vertebra or other part of the neck and specifies the site, encounter type, or presence of complications. Codes from this group are applied for traumatic neck injuries requiring medical evaluation, imaging, treatment, or follow-up care.

ICD-10-CM Codes

420 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
S12.000A	Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S12.000B	Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S12.000D	Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
S12.000G	Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
S12.000K	Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
S12.000S	Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, sequela
S12.001A	Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S12.001B	Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S12.001D	Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
S12.001G	Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
S12.001K	Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
S12.001S	Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, sequela
S12.01XA	Stable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S12.01XB	Stable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S12.01XD	Stable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
S12.01XG	Stable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
S12.01XK	Stable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
S12.01XS	Stable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, sequela
S12.02XA	Unstable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S12.02XB	Unstable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture

Showing 1–20 of 420

DRG Codes

17 rows

DRG Code	Description
011	Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC
012	Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC
013	Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC
154	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC
155	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC
156	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC
551	Medical Back Problems with MCC
552	Medical Back Problems without MCC
559	Aftercare, Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue with MCC
560	Aftercare, Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue with CC
561	Aftercare, Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue without CC/MCC
564	Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with MCC
565	Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with CC
566	Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses without CC/MCC
963	Other Multiple Significant Trauma with MCC
964	Other Multiple Significant Trauma with CC
965	Other Multiple Significant Trauma without CC/MCC

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An adult involved in a high-speed motor vehicle collision arrives at the emergency department with severe neck pain, midline cervical tenderness, decreased neck range of motion, and neurological deficits in the upper extremities. Imaging (CT or cervical spine X-ray) demonstrates an acute displaced fracture through the body of the C2 vertebra with evidence of instability; the patient requires cervical immobilization and urgent spine surgical consultation. A diagnosis from this group is assigned to capture the acute cervical vertebral fracture in the initial encounter. Typical codes: S12.100A, S12.100D
An elderly patient with longstanding osteoporosis presents to clinic after a low-energy ground-level fall at home, complaining of new neck pain but no focal neurologic signs; outpatient cervical imaging shows a nondisplaced fracture of a lower cervical transverse process or spinous process. This is managed conservatively with a cervical collar and outpatient follow‑up; the fracture is a recent injury being followed after the initial ED visit. A code from this group is used to document the specific cervical fracture during subsequent outpatient care. Typical codes: S12.090A, S12.090D
A middle-aged patient previously treated surgically for a cervical vertebral fracture six months ago returns with chronic neck pain, hardware-related irritation, and delayed healing seen on imaging consistent with nonunion or sequelae of the prior fracture. The visit documents complications related to the earlier cervical fracture and ongoing management for the fracture sequelae. A code from this group that reflects encounter for sequela or subsequent care of the cervical fracture is assigned. Typical codes: S12.000S, S12.100S

Related Codes

S10-SUPERFICIAL-INJURY-OF-NECK

ICD-10-CM Code For Superficial Injury Of Neck: Group Overview

S11-OPEN-WOUND-OF-NECK

ICD-10-CM Code For Open Wound Of Neck: Group Overview

S13-DISLOCATION-AND-SPRAIN-NECK

ICD-10-CM Code For Dislocation And Sprain Of Joints And Ligaments At Neck Level: Group Overview

S14-INJURY-OF-NERVES-AND-SPINAL-CORD

ICD-10-CM Code For Injury Of Nerves And Spinal Cord At Neck Level: Group Overview

S15-INJURY-OF-NECK-BLOOD-VESSELS

ICD-10-CM Code For Injury Of Blood Vessels At Neck Level: Group Overview

S17-CRUSHING-INJURY-OF-NECK

ICD-10-CM Code For Crushing Injury Of Neck: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

420 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
S12.000A	Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S12.000B	Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S12.000D	Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
S12.000G	Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
S12.000K	Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
S12.000S	Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, sequela
S12.001A	Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S12.001B	Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S12.001D	Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
S12.001G	Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
S12.001K	Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
S12.001S	Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, sequela
S12.01XA	Stable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S12.01XB	Stable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S12.01XD	Stable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
S12.01XG	Stable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
S12.01XK	Stable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
S12.01XS	Stable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, sequela
S12.02XA	Unstable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S12.02XB	Unstable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture

Showing 1–20 of 420

DRG Codes

17 rows

DRG Code	Description
011	Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC
012	Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC
013	Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC
154	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC
155	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC
156	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC
551	Medical Back Problems with MCC
552	Medical Back Problems without MCC
559	Aftercare, Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue with MCC
560	Aftercare, Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue with CC
561	Aftercare, Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue without CC/MCC
564	Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with MCC
565	Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with CC
566	Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses without CC/MCC
963	Other Multiple Significant Trauma with MCC
964	Other Multiple Significant Trauma with CC
965	Other Multiple Significant Trauma without CC/MCC

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An adult involved in a high-speed motor vehicle collision arrives at the emergency department with severe neck pain, midline cervical tenderness, decreased neck range of motion, and neurological deficits in the upper extremities. Imaging (CT or cervical spine X-ray) demonstrates an acute displaced fracture through the body of the C2 vertebra with evidence of instability; the patient requires cervical immobilization and urgent spine surgical consultation. A diagnosis from this group is assigned to capture the acute cervical vertebral fracture in the initial encounter. Typical codes: S12.100A, S12.100D
An elderly patient with longstanding osteoporosis presents to clinic after a low-energy ground-level fall at home, complaining of new neck pain but no focal neurologic signs; outpatient cervical imaging shows a nondisplaced fracture of a lower cervical transverse process or spinous process. This is managed conservatively with a cervical collar and outpatient follow‑up; the fracture is a recent injury being followed after the initial ED visit. A code from this group is used to document the specific cervical fracture during subsequent outpatient care. Typical codes: S12.090A, S12.090D
A middle-aged patient previously treated surgically for a cervical vertebral fracture six months ago returns with chronic neck pain, hardware-related irritation, and delayed healing seen on imaging consistent with nonunion or sequelae of the prior fracture. The visit documents complications related to the earlier cervical fracture and ongoing management for the fracture sequelae. A code from this group that reflects encounter for sequela or subsequent care of the cervical fracture is assigned. Typical codes: S12.000S, S12.100S

Related Codes

S10-SUPERFICIAL-INJURY-OF-NECK

ICD-10-CM Code For Superficial Injury Of Neck: Group Overview

S11-OPEN-WOUND-OF-NECK

ICD-10-CM Code For Open Wound Of Neck: Group Overview

S13-DISLOCATION-AND-SPRAIN-NECK

ICD-10-CM Code For Dislocation And Sprain Of Joints And Ligaments At Neck Level: Group Overview

S14-INJURY-OF-NERVES-AND-SPINAL-CORD

ICD-10-CM Code For Injury Of Nerves And Spinal Cord At Neck Level: Group Overview

S15-INJURY-OF-NECK-BLOOD-VESSELS

ICD-10-CM Code For Injury Of Blood Vessels At Neck Level: Group Overview

S17-CRUSHING-INJURY-OF-NECK

ICD-10-CM Code For Crushing Injury Of Neck: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-CM Code For Fracture Of Cervical Vertebra And Other Parts Of Neck: Group Overview

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ICD-10-CM S12: Fracture Of Cervical Vertebra And Other Parts Of Neck Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Fracture Of Cervical Vertebra And Other Parts Of Neck: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Fracture Of Cervical Vertebra And Other Parts Of Neck: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM S12: Fracture Of Cervical Vertebra And Other Parts Of Neck Overview

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

How does the ICD-10-CM S12 group relate to neck injury coding?

Which code characters indicate encounter type and healing status in S12 codes?

What specific fractures are included under the `S12.11` and related codes?

How does specificity in S12 coding affect reimbursement and claim adjudication?

Which DRGs may be related to cases coded in the S12 group?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

How does the ICD-10-CM S12 group relate to neck injury coding?

Which code characters indicate encounter type and healing status in S12 codes?

What specific fractures are included under the `S12.11` and related codes?

How does specificity in S12 coding affect reimbursement and claim adjudication?

Which DRGs may be related to cases coded in the S12 group?

References