C. Spinal Pain, Section 1: Spinal and Radicular Pain Syndromes

In this section, both spinal pain and radicular pain are considered. Definitions of spinal pain and related phenomena are offered first, followed by principles related to spinal pain and a comment on radicular pain and radiculopathy. Next there follows a detailed schedule of classifications of spinal pain affecting the cervical and thoracic regions. This schedule is intended to be comprehensive and includes numerous categories and coded items that are not described. Other elements, the more common and chronic with respect to pain, are described in detail later in the body of the text according to the usual pattern. The coding system and schedules provide categories for both spinal pain and radicular pain when they are associated with each other or when they occur separately. A diagnosis for each should be made as required with the suffix S or R as appropriate, and C when both occur. Subsequent to the schedule of classifications for the cervical and thoracic regions a more detailed description of radicular pain and radiculopathy is provided. The schedule of classifications relating to lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal, spinal, and radicular pains is presented later in the text, after the incorporation of material dealing with other syndromes in the upper limbs, thorax, abdomen, and perineum.