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Dx

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

S12.121Other nondisplaced dens fracture

Not billable — use a more specific codeRequires 7th character

S12.121 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 6 more specific codes beneath it and add the required 7th character.

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About S12.121

S12.121 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other nondisplaced dens fracture. It belongs to category S12 (fracture of cervical vertebra and other parts of neck), block S10-S19 (injuries to the neck) and chapter 19 (injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes). It is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself; one of its 6 subcodes must be used instead.

Within S12.12 (other dens fracture), S12.121 is specifically for other nondisplaced dens fracture. Related codes cover displaced dens fracture (S12.120).

Codes in this range require a 7th character: A for initial encounter for closed fracture, B for initial encounter for open fracture, D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing, G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing, K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion and S for sequela. Use placeholder "X" characters to fill any empty positions before the 7th character.

Code first: any associated cervical spinal cord injury (S14.0, S14.1-).

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

7th character

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to all codes from subcategories S12.0-S12.6

  • Ainitial encounter for closed fractureS12.121A
  • Binitial encounter for open fractureS12.121B
  • Dsubsequent encounter for fracture with routine healingS12.121D
  • Gsubsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healingS12.121G
  • Ksubsequent encounter for fracture with nonunionS12.121K
  • SsequelaS12.121S

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to S12.121.

› From S12 Fracture of cervical vertebra and other parts of neck
Note
  • A fracture not indicated as displaced or nondisplaced should be coded to displaced
  • A fracture not indicated as open or closed should be coded to closed
Includes
  • fracture of cervical neural arch
  • fracture of cervical spine
  • fracture of cervical spinous process
  • fracture of cervical transverse process
  • fracture of cervical vertebral arch
  • fracture of neck
Code first
  • any associated cervical spinal cord injury (S14.0, S14.1-)

Broader instructions also apply from S10-S19 Injuries to the neck and Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.

Alphabetic index entries

1 entries

Terms in the official ICD-10-CM index that lead to S12.121.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about S12.121

Is S12.121 billable?

No. S12.121 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.