S12.15 Other traumatic spondylolisthesis of second cervical vertebra

ICD-10-CM S12.15: Other Traumatic Spondylolisthesis of Second Cervical Vertebra

ICD-10-CM code S12.15 identifies other traumatic spondylolisthesis of the second cervical vertebra, an active injury concept categorized under fractures of the second cervical vertebra. This diagnosis represents a specific traumatic spinal injury, and clinical documentation must link the code to objective clinical findings to ensure accurate medical coding and care continuity. 1 5

Plain-language overview

Code S12.15 identifies a traumatic spinal injury specifically involving the second cervical vertebra, classified within the broader category of second cervical vertebra fractures. 1

What this code represents

The terminology record defines S12.15 as an active diagnosis concept with a semantic type of injury or poisoning, possessing no narrower subordinate concepts within the ICD-10-CM hierarchy. 1

Clinical guidance indicates S12.15 reflects trauma-focused clinical management and is documented as an encounter type not otherwise specified, distinguishing it from explicit initial or subsequent encounter codes. 5

Clinical context

Traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis is also referred to as a hangman's fracture, and cervical spine injuries carry the highest reported mortality rate among all spinal injuries. 2

Coding details

Billing and coding articles distinguish S12.15 from more specific codes like S12.150D, which captures an initial encounter for an open fracture of the second cervical vertebra. 4

Additional coding articles differentiate S12.15 from S12.150S, a code designated for a subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion of the second cervical vertebra. 3

Documentation considerations

Clinical documentation for S12.15 must link the diagnosis to objective findings, the time course of the injury, and the planned treatment to support medical coding accuracy. 5

What the sources add

While the terminology record establishes the official code definition, clinical sources provide operational context by linking the diagnosis to trauma management and highlighting associated mortality risks. 1 2 5

Sources

1. ICD-10-CM S12.15 terminology record — National Cancer Institute Enterprise Vocabulary Services; accessed 2026-07-27.
2. Safe management of acute cervical spine injuries — pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
3. Article - Billing and Coding: Cervical Fusion (A59624) — cms.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
4. Article - Billing and Coding: Cervical Fusion (A59634) — cms.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
5. Other Traumatic Spondylolisthesis Of Second Cervical Vertebra | ICD-10-CM S12.15 Clinical Guide — sprypt.com; accessed 2026-07-27.