S34.3 – Injury of cauda equina

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code S34.3

Code: S34.3 (claims format: S343)
Description: Injury of cauda equina
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: S30-S39 Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals
Parent codes: S34

Billable codes under S34.3

S34.3 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

S34.3XXA – Injury of cauda equina, initial encounterBillable
S34.3XXD – Injury of cauda equina, subsequent encounterBillable
S34.3XXS – Injury of cauda equina, sequelaBillable

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 inherited from parent codes

Instructional notes at a category or block level apply to every code below it.

S34 – Injury of lumbar and sacral spinal cord and nerves at abdomen, lower back and pelvis level

Code also:

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

Notes:

Code to highest level of lumbar cord injury
Injuries to the spinal cord (S34.0 and S34.1) refer to the cord level and not bone level injury, and can affect nerve roots at and below the level given.

7th character note:

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

Block S30-S39

Includes:

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):

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)

Index terms for S34.3

Entries in the ICD-10-CM alphabetic index that lead to this code:

Related codes in S34

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code S34.3?

S34.3 is the ICD-10-CM code for injury of cauda equina, in the block S30-S39 (Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals).

Is S34.3 a billable code?

No. S34.3 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

What category does S34.3 belong to?

It belongs to category S34 – Injury of lumbar and sacral spinal cord and nerves at abdomen, lower back and pelvis 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.