S14.15 Other incomplete lesions of cervical spinal cord

ICD-10-CM S14.15: Other incomplete lesions of cervical spinal cord

ICD-10-CM code S14.15 designates other incomplete lesions of the cervical spinal cord, functioning as an active terminology concept for an acquired abnormality or injury. It exists as a child concept under broader cervical spinal cord injuries and is distinct from central cord syndrome. 1 3

Plain-language overview

Code S14.15 identifies an acquired abnormality or injury representing other incomplete lesions of the cervical spinal cord, serving as an active terminology concept within the ICD-10-CM version 2026. 1

What this code represents

The code S14.15 represents a child concept under the parent code S14.1, which encompasses other and unspecified injuries of the cervical spinal cord within the ICD-10-CM hierarchy. 1

Within the S14.1 category, S14.15 is distinct from S14.11, denoting complete lesions, and S14.12, denoting central cord syndrome of the cervical spinal cord. 3

Coding details

The S14.15 category encompasses designations for specific vertebral levels, ranging from S14.151 for the C1 level through S14.158 for the C8 level of the cervical spinal cord. 4

The designation S14.159 exists for other incomplete lesions at an unspecified level of the cervical spinal cord, providing an option when the specific vertebral level is not identified. 4

Documentation considerations

The terminology record for S14.15 explicitly states it has no narrower concepts in this terminology, even though vertebral level designations appear within the same coding structure. 1 4

Clinical literature indicates that central cord syndrome predominantly affects older adults with cervical stenosis following a low-energy fall or hyperextension injury, resulting in motor and sensory problems. 2

What the sources add

While S14.15 captures other incomplete lesions, clinical literature indicates that central cord syndrome is a distinct incomplete spinal cord injury frequently affecting older adults following hyperextension injuries. 2 3

Clinical literature establishes that central cord syndrome represents the most common form of incomplete spinal cord injury, accounting for an estimated 11,000 new cases annually in the United States. 2

Sources

1. ICD-10-CM S14.15 terminology record — National Cancer Institute Enterprise Vocabulary Services; accessed 2026-07-27.
2. Bookshelf — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
3. EVS Explore — evsexplore.semantics.cancer.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
4. Coding: ICD-10-CM Section S10-S19 — imedicalcode.com; accessed 2026-07-27.