S13.4 – Sprain of ligaments of cervical spine
ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Injuries to the neck
- Code
S13.4(claims format:S134)- Description
- Sprain of ligaments of cervical spine
- Billable
- No – use a more specific code below
- Valid for
- Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
- Chapter
- 19. Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
- Block
- S10-S19 Injuries to the neck
- Parent codes
- S13
Billable codes under S13.4
S13.4 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:
7th character values
Codes in this category need a 7th character to describe the encounter or episode of care (use placeholder X for empty positions).
| Character | Meaning |
|---|---|
A | initial encounter |
D | subsequent encounter |
S | sequela |
Notes for S13.4
- Sprain of anterior longitudinal (ligament), cervical
- Sprain of atlanto-axial (joints)
- Sprain of atlanto-occipital (joints)
- Whiplash injury of cervical spine
Notes inherited from parent codes
Instructional notes at a category or block level apply to every code below it.
S13 – Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments at neck level
- avulsion of joint or ligament at neck level
- laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament at neck level
- sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament at neck level
- traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament at neck level
- traumatic rupture of joint or ligament at neck level
- traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament at neck level
- traumatic tear of joint or ligament at neck level
- strain of muscle or tendon at neck level (S16.1)
- any associated open wound
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S13
Block S10-S19
- injuries of nape
- injuries of supraclavicular region
- injuries of throat
Index terms for S13.4
Entries in the ICD-10-CM alphabetic index that lead to this code:
- Whiplash injury
- Injury, whiplash
- Syndrome, whiplash
- Sprain, spine, cervical
- Sprain, neck, cervical spine
- Torticollis, traumatic, current
- Sprain, neck, atlanto-axial joint
- Sprain, neck, atlanto-occipital joint
- Sprain, anterior longitudinal, cervical
- Sprain, atlas, atlanto-axial, atlanto-occipital
- Sprain, cervical, cervicodorsal, cervicothoracic
- Sprain, neck, anterior longitudinal cervical ligament
Related codes in S13
- S13.0 – Traumatic rupture of cervical intervertebral discHeader
- S13.1 – Subluxation and dislocation of cervical vertebraeHeader
- S13.2 – Dislocation of other and unspecified parts of neckHeader
- S13.5 – Sprain of thyroid regionHeader
- S13.8 – Sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of neckHeader
- S13.9 – Sprain of joints and ligaments of unspecified parts of neckHeader
Frequently asked questions
What is ICD-10 code S13.4?
S13.4 is the ICD-10-CM code for sprain of ligaments of cervical spine, in the block S10-S19 (Injuries to the neck).
Is S13.4 a billable code?
No. S13.4 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.
What category does S13.4 belong to?
It belongs to category S13 – Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments at neck level.
Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code files, tabular list and index. Reference only – code assignment must follow the official ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation in the medical record.