Prior authorization request form Form
Lumbar Fusion and Intervertebral Fusion Devices
Last Review Date: April 10, 2026
Number: MG.MM.SU.55cC2Medical Guideline Disclaimer
The treating physician or primary care provider must submit to EmblemHealth the clinical evidence that the member meets the criteria for the treatment
or surgical procedure. Without this documentation and information, EmblemHealth will not be able to properly review the request preauthorization or
post-payment review. The clinical review criteria expressed below reflects how EmblemHealth determines whether certain services or supplies are
medically necessary. This clinical policy is not intended to pre-empt the judgment of the reviewing medical director or dictate to health care providers
how to practice medicine. Health care providers are expected to exercise their medical judgment in rendering appropriate care. Health care providers
are expected to exercise their medical judgment in rendering appropriate care.
EmblemHealth established the clinical review criteria based upon a review of currently available clinical information (including clinical outcome studies
in the peer reviewed published medical literature, regulatory status of the technology, evidence-based guidelines of public health and health research
agencies, evidence-based guidelines and positions of leading national health professional organizations, views of physicians practicing in relevant clinical
areas, and other relevant factors). EmblemHealth expressly reserves the right to revise these conclusions as clinical information changes and welcomes
further relevant information. Each benefit program defines which services are covered. The conclusion that a particular service or supply is medically
necessary does not constitute a representation or warranty that this service or supply is covered and/or paid for by EmblemHealth, as some programs
exclude coverage for services or supplies that EmblemHealth considers medically necessary.
If there is a discrepancy between this guideline and a member's benefits program, the benefits program will govern. Identification of selected brand
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EmblemHealth may also use tools developed by third parties, such as the MCG™ Care Guidelines, to assist us in administering health benefits. The MCG™
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Insurance Plan of Greater New York (HIP) related to health benefit plans offered by these entities. All of the aforementioned entities are affiliated
companies under common control of EmblemHealth Inc.
Related Medical Guidelines
Artificial Intervertebral Discs
Interspinous Distraction Devices
Definitions
Spinal fusion surgery is designed to stop motion at a painful vertebral segment, which in turn should decrease
pain generated from the joint.
There are many approaches to lumbar spinal fusion surgery; all involve the following:
•
Addition of bone graft to a spinal segment
•
Setting up biological response to create artificial induction of bone ossification that enables bone graft
to grow between two vertebral elements resulting in bone fusion (aka arthrodesis)
•
Arresting joint-segment motion — achieved through boney fusion creation of one fixed bone that
replaces a mobile joint
Spinal access may be achieved through anterior, posterior and lateral approaches utilizing open surgical (large
incision) or minimally invasive/minimal access techniques. (Tables 1 and 2)
The two main types of fusion (which may be used in conjunction with each other) are:
Posterolateral fusion — places bone graft between transverse processes in back of the spine;
vertebrae then fixed in place with screws and/or wire through the pedicles of each vertebra
attaching to a metal rod on each side of the vertebrae
Interbody fusion — places bone graft between vertebrae in area usually occupied by the
intervertebral disc; fusion then occurs between endplates of the vertebrae
Types of fusion instrumentation for rigid stabilization consists of pedicle screws, cages/dynamic stabilization devices.
Table 1: Covered Open/Minimally Invasive/Minimal Access Fusion Procedures when clinical criteria are met. Procedure Access Approach Visualization Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) Open, MI or laparoscopic Transperitoneal or retroperitoneal
Direct, endoscopic or laparoscopic with fluoroscopic guidance Direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF) MI Retroperitoneal through transpsoas
Direct, with neurologic monitoring and fluoroscopic guidance Lateral interbody fusion (e.g., extreme lateral interbody fusion [XLIF®]) MI Retroperitoneal through transpsoas
Direct, with neurologic monitoring and fluoroscopic guidance Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) Open or MI Incision centered over spine with laminectomy/laminotomy and retraction of nerve Direct, endoscopic or microscopic, with fluoroscopic guidance
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) Open or MI Offset from spine, through the intervertebral foramen via unilateral facetectomy Direct, endoscopic or microscopic, with fluoroscopic guidance
Table 2: Non-covered Minimally Invasive/Minimal Access Fusion Procedures (Limitations/Exclusions) Procedure Access Approach Visualization Axial lumbar interbody fusion (AxiaLIF®) MI Pre-sacral space Direct, endoscopic or laparoscopic with fluoroscopic guidance Laparoscopic anterior lumbar interbody fusion (LALIF) (AKA anterior para-axial, trans-sacral or paracoccygeal interbody fusion) Laparoscopic
Transperitoneal or retroperitoneal Direct, endoscopic or laparoscopic with fluoroscopic guidance
Guideline
Coverage Position Statements
I. EmblemHealth considers the fusion procedures listed in Table 1 to be clinically appropriate when fusion
criteria are met.
II. EmblemHealth considers cadaveric allograft and demineralized bone matrix (e.g., Accell, AlloFuse, Allogor
DBM, Allomatrix, DBX, DynaGraft, DynaGraft, Exactech Resorbable Bone Paste, Grafton DBM, Intergro
DBM, Magnifuse, Optefil, Opteform, Origen DBM, OrthoBlast, Ostefil, OsteoSelect, OsteoSponge, and
Progenix) to be medically necessary for spinal fusions.
III. EmblemHealth considers recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), including, but
not limited to the InFUSE® bone graft, to be medically necessary as an adjunct to instrumented ALIF or
posterolateral lumbar intertransverse fusion. (See Limitations/Exclusions for posterior lumbar interbody
fusion [PLIF] and TLIF)
Criteria
Lumbar fusion is considered medically necessary when any of the following criteria (1–10) are met.
- Spinal stenosis; both:
A. Any
a. Spondylolisthesis (degenerative or isthmic) demonstrated on imaging
b. Spinal instability demonstrated on imaging
c. Spinal instability anticipated secondary to need for bilateral or wide decompression with facetectomy or resection of pars interarticularis B. Either a. Neurogenic claudication or radicular pain resulting in significant functional impairment in member who has failed ≥ 3 months of conservative care with documentation of central/lateral recess/or foraminal stenosis on imaging b. Severe or rapidly progressive symptoms of motor loss, neurogenic claudication, disabling radicular pain or cauda equina syndrome - Severe progressive idiopathic scoliosis; either:
A.
Cobb angle > 40°
B. Spinal cord compression with neurogenic claudication or radicular pain that results in significant functional impairment in a member who has failed ≥ 3 months of conservative care - Severe degenerative scoliosis (lumbar or thoracolumbar) with Cobb angle ≤ 30° or significant sagittal
imbalance (e.g., sagittal vertical axis ≥ 5 cm); and any:
A.
Documented progression of deformity with persistent axial (nongraduating) pain and
impairment or loss of function unresponsive to ≥ 1 year of nonoperative treatment
B. Persistent and significant neurogenic symptoms (claudication or radicular pain) with impairment or loss of function, unresponsive to ≥ 1 year of conservative nonsurgical care C. Severe or rapidly progressive symptoms of motor loss, neurogenic claudication, disabling radicular pain or cauda equina syndrome - Congenital scoliosis and congenital kyphosis in members with functional and/or neurological impairment
- Isthmic spondylolisthesis; all: A. Congenital (Wiltse type I) or acquired pars defect (Wiltse II) documented on x-ray B. Persistent back pain (with or without neurogenic symptoms) with impairment or loss of function C. Either unresponsive to ≥ 6 months of conservative nonsurgical care or with severe or rapidly progressive symptoms of motor loss, neurogenic claudication, disabling radicular pain or cauda equina syndrome
- Recurrent same level disc herniation (post 2 discectomies) occurring at ≥ 3 months post previous surgery; all: A. Recurrent neurogenic symptoms (radicular pain or claudication) or evidence of nerve-root irritation, as demonstrated by a positive nerve-root tension sign, positive femoral tension sign or a corresponding neurologic deficit B. Impairment or loss of function
C. Unresponsive to ≥ 3 months of medical management with severe or rapidly progressive symptoms of motor loss, neurogenic claudication, disabling radicular pain, or cauda equina syndrome D. Neural structure compression/instability documented by imaging at a level and side corresponding to the clinical symptoms
- Pseudoarthrosis documented on imaging; all: A. ≥ 6 months post initial fusion B. Refractory to medical management with persistent axial back pain (with or without neurogenic symptoms) or with severe or rapidly progressive symptoms of motor loss, neurogenic claudication, disabling radicular pain or cauda equina syndrome C. Member achieved significant symptom-relief prior to current onset of impairment/ functional loss
- Spinal instability secondary to fracture/pseudoarthrosis, dislocation, infection (including tuberculosis), abscess/cyst or tumor when an extensive surgery is required that could be destabilizing
- Iatrogenic or degenerative flatback syndrome with significant sagittal imbalance (≥ 5cm) causing functional limitations (e.g., significant pain, decreased ability to ambulate/perform ADLs, etc.)
Adjacent level disease; all: A. Persistent back pain (with or without neurogenic symptoms) with impairment or loss of function that is unresponsive to ≥ 3 months of conservative therapy B. Eccentric disc space collapse, spondylolisthesis, acute single level scoliosis or lateral listhesis on imaging C. Symptoms and functional measures correlate with imaging findings
D. Significant relief achieved for ≥ 6 months after prior fusionLimitations/Exclusions
- The use of instrumentation and bone formation/grafting materials must be used strictly in accordance with FDA-approved labeling. (Note: Osteogenic protein-1 [aka OP-1 implant or bone morphogenic protein-7/rhBMP-7 has been removed from the U.S. market]
- Repeat lumbar fusion operations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis upon submission of
medical records and imaging studies that demonstrate remediable pathology. The below must also
be documented and available for review of repeat fusion requests:
A. Rationale as to why surgery is preferred over other non-invasive or less invasive treatment procedures.
B. Signed documentation that the member has participated in the decision-making process and understands the high rate of failure/complications - Lumbar fusion is not considered medically necessary if the sole condition is any: C. Chronic nonspecific low back pain without radiculopathy D. Degenerative disc disease without stenosis/spondylolisthesis E. Disc herniation F. Facet syndrome G. Initial discectomy/laminectomy for neural structure decompression
- The following fusion procedures are not considered medically necessary due to insufficient evidence of therapeutic value: A. Axial lumbar interbody fusion (AxiaLIF®) B. Laparoscopic anterior lumbar interbody fusion (LALIF)
- Multi-level fusion is not considered medically necessary if clinical criteria are not met for all levels.
- The use of rhBMP-2 is considered investigational and not medically necessary as an adjunct to PLIF or TLIF.
- Use of an autograft is not considered medically necessary due to lack of feasibility or secondary to
contraindications as follows; any:
A.
Tissue no longer available, as member received a previous autograft
B. Insufficient autogenous tissue available for procedure C. Member is deemed an unacceptable candidate for autograft; any: a. > 65 years of age b. Excessive risk of anatomic disruption (e.g., fracture) secondary to harvesting of autograft from donor site c. Increased risk of autograft secondary to concurrent medical conditions/co- morbidities
d. Poor quality bone (e.g., osteoporosis) e. Obesity f. Presence of morbidity (infection, or fracture) preventing harvesting at autograft donor site Documented compliance of non-smoking three months prior to surgical intervention
Revision History Apr. 12, 2024 Added congenital scoliosis and congenital kyphosis as covered indications Apr. 8, 2022 Added documented requirement pertaining to smoking Mar. 10, 2027 Arthrodesis, lateral extracavitary technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression); lumbar Applicable Procedure Codes 22533 Arthrodesis, lateral extracavitary technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression); lumbar 22534 Arthrodesis, lateral extracavitary technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression); thoracic or lumbar, each additional vertebral segment 22558 Arthrodesis, anterior interbody technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression); lumbar 22585 Arthrodesis, anterior interbody technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression); each additional interspace 22612 Arthrodesis, posterior or posterolateral technique, single level; lumbar (with lateral transverse technique, when performed) 22614 Arthrodesis, posterior or posterolateral technique, single level; each additional vertebral segment 22630 Arthrodesis, posterior interbody technique, including laminectomy and/or discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression), single interspace; lumbar
22632 Arthrodesis, posterior interbody technique, including laminectomy and/or discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression); each additional interspace 22633 Arthrodesis, combined posterior or posterolateral technique with posterior interbody technique including laminectomy and/or discectomy sufficient to prepare interspace (other than for decompression), single interspace and segment; lumbar 22634 Arthrodesis, combined posterior or posterolateral technique with posterior interbody technique including laminectomy and/or discectomy sufficient to prepare interspace (other than for decompression), single interspace and segment; each additional interspace and segment 22853 Insertion of interbody biomechanical device(s) (eg, synthetic cage, mesh) with integral anterior instrumentation for device anchoring (eg, screws, flanges), when performed, to intervertebral disc space in conjunction with interbody arthrodesis, each interspace (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) 22854 Insertion of intervertebral biomechanical device(s) (eg, synthetic cage, mesh) with integral anterior instrumentation for device anchoring (eg, screws, flanges), when performed, to vertebral corpectomy(ies) (vertebral body resection, partial or complete) defect, in conjunction with interbody arthrodesis, each contiguous defect (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) 22859 Insertion of intervertebral biomechanical device(s) (eg, synthetic cage, mesh, methylmethacrylate) to intervertebral disc space or vertebral body defect without interbody arthrodesis, each contiguous defect (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) 22899 Unlisted procedure, spine
Applicable ICD-10 Diagnosis Codes
A18.01
Tuberculosis of spine
C41.2
Malignant neoplasm of vertebral column
D16.6
Benign neoplasm of vertebral column
D33.4
Benign neoplasm of spinal cord
G06.1
Intraspinal abscess and granuloma
G83.4
Cauda equina syndrome
G95.20
Unspecified cord compression
G95.29
Other cord compression
G95.9
Disease of spinal cord, unspecified
M41.04
Infantile idiopathic scoliosis, thoracic region
M41.05
Infantile idiopathic scoliosis, thoracolumbar region
M41.06
Infantile idiopathic scoliosis, lumbar region
M41.07
Infantile idiopathic scoliosis, lumbosacral region
M41.114
Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, thoracic region
M41.115
Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, thoracolumbar region
M41.116
Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, lumbar region
M41.117
Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, lumbosacral region
M41.124
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, thoracic region
M41.125
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, thoracolumbar region
M41.126
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, lumbar region
M41.127
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, lumbosacral region
M41.24
Other idiopathic scoliosis, thoracic region
M41.25
Other idiopathic scoliosis, thoracolumbar region
M41.26
Other idiopathic scoliosis, lumbar region
M41.27
Other idiopathic scoliosis, lumbosacral region
M41.84
Other forms of scoliosis, thoracic region
M41.85
Other forms of scoliosis, thoracolumbar region
M41.86
Other forms of scoliosis, lumbar region
M41.87
Other forms of scoliosis, lumbosacral region
M41.9
Scoliosis, unspecified
M43.05
Spondylolysis, thoracolumbar region
M43.06
Spondylolysis, lumbar region
M43.07
Spondylolysis, lumbosacral region
M43.15
Spondylolisthesis, thoracolumbar region
M43.16
Spondylolisthesis, lumbar region
M43.17
Spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral region
M46.24
Osteomyelitis of vertebra, thoracic region
M46.25
Osteomyelitis of vertebra, thoracolumbar region
M46.26
Osteomyelitis of vertebra, lumbar region
M46.27
Osteomyelitis of vertebra, lumbosacral region
M46.34
Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), thoracic region
M46.35
Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), thoracolumbar region
M46.36
Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), lumbar region
M46.37
Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), lumbosacral region
M46.46
Discitis, unspecified, lumbar region
M46.47
Discitis, unspecified, lumbosacral region
M46.95
Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, thoracolumbar region
M46.96
Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, lumbar region
M46.97
Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, lumbosacral region
M47.16
Other spondylosis with myelopathy, lumbar region
M47.26
Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbar region
M47.27
Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
M47.816
Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbar region
M47.817
Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
M47.896
Other spondylosis, lumbar region
M47.897
Other spondylosis, lumbosacral region
M48.061
Spinal stenosis, lumbar region without neurogenic claudication
M48.062
Spinal stenosis, lumbar region with neurogenic claudication
M48.07
Spinal stenosis, lumbosacral region
M48.35 Traumatic spondylopathy, thoracolumbar region M48.36 Traumatic spondylopathy, lumbar region M48.37 Traumatic spondylopathy, lumbosacral region M48.45XA Fatigue fracture of vertebra, thoracolumbar region, initial encounter for fracture M48.46XA Fatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbar region, initial encounter for fracture M48.47XA Fatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbosacral region, initial encounter for fracture M48.55XA Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, thoracolumbar region, initial encounter for fracture M48.56XA Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, lumbar region, initial encounter for fracture M48.57XA Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, lumbosacral region, initial encounter for fracture M48.8X5 Other specified spondylopathies, thoracolumbar region M48.8X6 Other specified spondylopathies, lumbar region M48.8X7 Other specified spondylopathies, lumbosacral region M51.05 Intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, thoracolumbar region M51.06 Intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, lumbar region M51.16 Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region M51.17 Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbosacral region M51.26 Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region M51.27 Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbosacral region M51.35 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, thoracolumbar region M51.36 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region M51.360 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region with discogenic back pain only M51.361 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region with lower extremity pain only M51.362 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region with discogenic back pain and lower extremity pain M51.369 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region without mention of lumbar back pain or lower extremity pain M51.370 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacralregion with discogenic back pain onl M51.371 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacralregion with lower extremity pain only M51.372 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacralregion with discogenic back pain and lower extremity pain M51.379 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacralregion without mention of lumbar back pain or lower extremity pain M51.86 Other intervertebral disc disorders, lumbar region M51.87 Other intervertebral disc disorders, lumbosacral region M51.9 Unspecified thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorder M54.15 Radiculopathy, thoracolumbar region M54.16 Radiculopathy, lumbar region M54.17 Radiculopathy, lumbosacral region M80.08XA Age-related osteoporosis with current pathological fracture, vertebra(e), initial encounter for fracture M80.08XK Age-related osteoporosis with current pathological fracture, vertebra(e), subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
M80.80XP
Age-related osteoporosis with current pathological fracture, vertebra(e), subsequent encounter for fracture with
malunion
M84.58XA
Pathological fracture in neoplastic disease, other specified site, initial encounter for fracture (Vertebrae)
M96.1
Postlaminectomy syndrome, not elsewhere classified
M99.13
Subluxation complex (vertebral) of lumbar region
M99.23
Subluxation stenosis of neural canal of lumbar region
M99.33
Osseous stenosis of neural canal of lumbar region
M99.43
Connective tissue stenosis of neural canal of lumbar region
M99.53
Intervertebral disc stenosis of neural canal of lumbar region
M99.63
Osseous and subluxation stenosis of intervertebral foramina of lumbar region
M99.73
Connective tissue and disc stenosis of intervertebral foramina of lumbar region
M99.83
Other biomechanical lesions of lumbar region
Q76.2
Congenital spondylolisthesis
Q76.3
Congenital scoliosis due to congenital bony malformation
Q76.415
Congenital kyphosis, thoracolumbar region
S32.000A
Wedge compression fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S32.000B
Wedge compression fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S32.001A
Stable burst fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S32.001B
Stable burst fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S32.002A
Unstable burst fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S32.002B
Unstable burst fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S32.008A
Other fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S32.008B
Other fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S32.009A
Unspecified fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S32.009B
Unspecified fracture of unspecified lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S32.010A
Wedge compression fracture of first lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S32.010B
Wedge compression fracture of first lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S32.011A
Stable burst fracture of first lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S32.011B
Stable burst fracture of first lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S32.012A
Unstable burst fracture of first lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S32.012B
Unstable burst fracture of first lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S32.018A
Other fracture of first lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S32.018B
Other fracture of first lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S32.019A
Unspecified fracture of first lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S32.019B
Unspecified fracture of first lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S32.020A
Wedge compression fracture of second lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S32.020B
Wedge compression fracture of second lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
S32.021A
Stable burst fracture of second lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S32.021B Stable burst fracture of second lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.022A Unstable burst fracture of second lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.022B Unstable burst fracture of second lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.028A Other fracture of second lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.028B Other fracture of second lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.029A Unspecified fracture of second lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.029B Unspecified fracture of second lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.030A Wedge compression fracture of third lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.030B Wedge compression fracture of third lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.031A Stable burst fracture of third lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.031B Stable burst fracture of third lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.032A Unstable burst fracture of third lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.032B Unstable burst fracture of third lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.038A Other fracture of third lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.038B Other fracture of third lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.039A Unspecified fracture of third lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.039B Unspecified fracture of third lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.040A Wedge compression fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.040B Wedge compression fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.041A Stable burst fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.041B Stable burst fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.042A Unstable burst fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.042B Unstable burst fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.048A Other fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.048B Other fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.049A Unspecified fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.049B Unspecified fracture of fourth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.050A Wedge compression fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.050B Wedge compression fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.051A Stable burst fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.051B Stable burst fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.052A Unstable burst fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.052B Unstable burst fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.058A Other fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.058B Other fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.059A Unspecified fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture S32.059B Unspecified fracture of fifth lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture S32.9xxK Fracture of unspecified parts of lumbosacral spine and pelvis, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
S33.0xxA Traumatic rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc, initial encounter S33.100A Subluxation of unspecified lumbar vertebra, initial encounter S33.101A Dislocation of unspecified lumbar vertebra, initial encounter S33.110A Subluxation of L1/L2 lumbar vertebra, initial encounter S33.111A Dislocation of L1/L2 lumbar vertebra, initial encounter S33.120A Subluxation of L2/L3 lumbar vertebra, initial encounter S33.121A Dislocation of L2/L3 lumbar vertebra, initial encounter S33.130A Subluxation of L3/L4 lumbar vertebra, initial encounter S33.131A Dislocation of L3/L4 lumbar vertebra, initial encounter S33.140A Subluxation of L4/L5 lumbar vertebra, initial encounter S33.141A Dislocation of L4/L5 lumbar vertebra, initial encounter
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- https://www.spine.org/ProductDetails?productid={7D67EEB8-4CC7-E411-9CA5-005056AF031E}. Accessed April 15, 2026. Patil SS, Lindley EM, Patel VV, Burger EL. Clinical and radiological outcomes of axial lumbar interbody fusion. Orthopedics. 2010; 33(12):883. Resnick DK, Choudhri TF, Dailey AT, et al. American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Guidelines for the performance of fusion procedures for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. Part 11: interbody techniques for lumbar fusion. J Neurosurg Spine. 2005; 2(6):692-699. Shen FH, Samartzis D, Dip EBHC, et al. Minimally invasive techniques for lumbar interbody fusion. Orthop Clin N Am. 2007; 38: 373-386. Spine-health™. Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion ALIF Definition. http://www.spine-health.com/glossary/anterior-lumbar-interbody- fusion-alif. Accessed April 15, 2026. Spine-health™. Interbody Fusion — ALOF, PLIF and XLIF. http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/spinal-fusion/interbody-fusion-alif-plif- and-xlif. Accessed April 15, 2026.
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