Spinal cord and nerve injury at chest level
Also known as: Injury of nerves or spinal cord at thorax level, unspecified
General information only. Anpheros does not diagnose and does not recommend treatment. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your situation. In an emergency, call 112 (or your local emergency number).
In short
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves running down the middle of the back that carries signals between the body and the brain, and an injury disrupts these signals. Spinal cord injuries usually begin with a blow that fractures or dislocates vertebrae, causing damage when pieces of bone tear into cord tissue or press down on nerve parts. These injuries can be complete, resulting in paralysis below the level of the injury, or incomplete, where some movement and sensation remain below the injury. A spinal cord injury is a medical emergency where immediate treatment, such as medicines, braces, traction, or surgery, can reduce long-term effects.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
AI-generated summary of the sources cited on this page, checked automatically against them. Not reviewed by a clinician; not medical advice.
Codes
Description
Your spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs down the middle of your back. It carries signals back and forth between your body and your brain. A spinal cord injury disrupts the signals. Spinal cord injuries usually begin with a blow that fractures (breaks) or dislocates your vertebrae, the bone disks that make up your spine. Most injuries don't cut through your spinal cord. Instead, they cause damage when pieces of vertebrae tear into cord tissue or press down on the nerve parts that carry signals.
Spinal cord injuries can be complete or incomplete. With a complete spinal cord injury, the cord can't send signals below the level of the injury. As a result, you are paralyzed below the injury. With an incomplete injury, you have some movement and sensation below the injury.
A spinal cord injury is a medical emergency. Immediate treatment can reduce long-term effects. Treatments may include medicines, braces or traction to stabilize the spine, and surgery. Later treatment usually includes medicines and rehabilitation therapy. Mobility aids and assistive devices may help you to get around and do some daily tasks.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Next to it in ICD-10
- S07Crush injury of the head
- S08Traumatic amputation of part of the head
- S09Other head injuries
- S34Spinal cord and nerve injury at lower back and pelvis level
- S43Shoulder dislocation, sprain and strain
- S49Other shoulder and upper arm injuries
Neighbouring codes in the classification, not a medical link.
External resources
Questions
What is the ICD-10 code for Spinal cord and nerve injury at chest level?
S24 (WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision).
What is the ICD-11 code for Spinal cord and nerve injury at chest level?
NB2Z: Injury of nerves or spinal cord at thorax level, unspecified (WHO, ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics).
Sources and attribution
- ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, © World Health Organization, licensed under CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO.
- Names other than the official source titles: Anpheros translations and plain-language names, made with AI assistance and checked automatically; the source names are in English.
- Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- ICD-10 codes and titles © World Health Organization. Source: WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (2019).
Anpheros Search catalog 2026.10.5, published 17 October 2026. About the data →
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