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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesSpondylopathiesICD-10-CM m47-spondylosis
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Spondylosis: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group M47 includes degenerative spondylosis disorders of the spine such as cervical spondylosis, thoracic spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis, and related degenerative changes that can cause pain, radiculopathy, and spinal canal compromise. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical encounters for degenerative spinal conditions, capturing anatomical level, presence of radiculopathy or myelopathy, and related complications. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM M47 group supports proper claim adjudication and complete clinical documentation for appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM M47: Spondylosis Overview

    The ICD-10-CM M47 group includes degenerative conditions of the spine characterized by wear-and-tear changes in the intervertebral discs and vertebral joints. These diagnoses target the spinal structures across cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions and may produce pain, radiculopathy, or spinal stenosis. Accurate coding matters for documenting disease severity and ensuring appropriate reimbursement tied to documented clinical findings.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a patient has documented degenerative spinal changes attributed to spondylosis with specified anatomical level and any noted neurologic involvement. Select codes reflecting the exact spinal region and whether radiculopathy, myelopathy, or other complications are present as documented in the clinical record.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    45 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M47.011Anterior spinal artery compression syndromes, occipito-atlanto-axial region
    M47.012Anterior spinal artery compression syndromes, cervical region
    M47.013Anterior spinal artery compression syndromes, cervicothoracic region
    M47.014Anterior spinal artery compression syndromes, thoracic region
    M47.015Anterior spinal artery compression syndromes, thoracolumbar region
    M47.016Anterior spinal artery compression syndromes, lumbar region
    M47.019Anterior spinal artery compression syndromes, site unspecified
    M47.021Vertebral artery compression syndromes, occipito-atlanto-axial region
    M47.022Vertebral artery compression syndromes, cervical region
    M47.029Vertebral artery compression syndromes, site unspecified
    M47.10Other spondylosis with myelopathy, site unspecified
    M47.11Other spondylosis with myelopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region
    M47.12Other spondylosis with myelopathy, cervical region
    M47.13Other spondylosis with myelopathy, cervicothoracic region
    M47.14Other spondylosis with myelopathy, thoracic region
    M47.15Other spondylosis with myelopathy, thoracolumbar region
    M47.16Other spondylosis with myelopathy, lumbar region
    M47.20Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, site unspecified
    M47.21Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region
    M47.22Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, cervical region

    Showing 1–20 of 45

    DRG Codes

    2 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    551Medical Back Problems with MCC
    552Medical Back Problems without MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An elderly patient with progressive neck stiffness, intermittent cervical radicular pain radiating into the right arm, and gradual hand weakness presents to clinic for worsening function over several months. Imaging (cervical spine X‑ray and MRI) shows multilevel cervical spondylotic changes with foraminal narrowing and degenerative disc height loss without acute fracture; this is a chronic degenerative spondylopathy leading to radiculopathy, so a code from this group specifying cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy is assigned. Typical codes: M47.012, M47.013
    • A middle‑aged patient arrives at the emergency department after a fall with acute severe low back pain and increased lower extremity numbness; MRI reveals acute exacerbation of lumbar spondylosis with central canal stenosis causing neurogenic claudication symptoms. Because the visit documents an acute symptomatic flare of degenerative lumbar spine disease with neurological involvement, an appropriate lumbar spondylosis code from this group is used. Typical codes: M47.26, M47.27
    • A patient with long‑standing thoracic degenerative spine disease is evaluated as part of preoperative clearance for elective cardiac surgery; the chart documents chronic thoracic spondylosis without current radiculopathy or myelopathy but as a comorbid musculoskeletal condition affecting perioperative mobility and analgesic planning. For documentation of chronic thoracic spondylopathy without neurologic involvement, a thoracic spondylosis code from this group is assigned. Typical codes: M47.814, M47.819

    Related Codes

    M45-ANKYLOSING-SPONDYLITIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Ankylosing Spondylitis: Group Overview

    M46-OTHER-INFLAMMATORY-SPONDYLOPATHIES

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Inflammatory Spondylopathies: Group Overview

    M48-OTHER-SPONDYLOPATHIES

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Spondylopathies: Group Overview

    M49-SPONDYLOPATHIES-IN-DISEASES-CLASSIFIED-ELSEWHERE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Spondylopathies In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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