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    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther dorsopathiesICD-10-CM m51-thoracic-thoracolumbar-lumbosacral-disc-disorders
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Thoracic Thoracolumbar And Lumbosacral Intervertebral Disc Disorders: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group M51 includes thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders such as herniated, displaced, and degenerative disc conditions that may cause localized spine pain or nerve root compression. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical findings like radiculopathy, myelopathy, and the anatomical level of disc involvement, capturing disease severity and neurological consequences relevant to this group. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM M51 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM M51: Thoracic, Thoracolumbar, And Lumbosacral Intervertebral Disc Disorders Overview

    The ICD-10-CM M51 group represents disorders of intervertebral discs affecting the thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral regions of the spine, including herniated, degenerative, and displaced disc conditions. These diagnoses target the spinal intervertebral discs and associated neural compression or radiculopathy that can cause back pain and neurologic symptoms. Accurate coding matters for documenting clinical severity, guiding care coordination, and supporting appropriate reimbursement.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when clinical documentation identifies a thoracic, thoracolumbar, or lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorder with specified level or neurological manifestation. Select the code that matches the documented diagnosis, anatomical location, and any associated complications such as radiculopathy or myelopathy.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    36 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M51.04Intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, thoracic region
    M51.05Intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, thoracolumbar region
    M51.06Intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, lumbar region
    M51.14Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, thoracic region
    M51.15Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, thoracolumbar region
    M51.16Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region
    M51.17Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
    M51.24Other intervertebral disc displacement, thoracic region
    M51.25Other intervertebral disc displacement, thoracolumbar region
    M51.26Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region
    M51.27Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbosacral region
    M51.34Other intervertebral disc degeneration, thoracic region
    M51.35Other intervertebral disc degeneration, thoracolumbar region
    M51.360Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region with discogenic back pain only
    M51.361Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region with lower extremity pain only
    M51.362Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region with discogenic back pain and lower extremity pain
    M51.369Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region without mention of lumbar back pain or lower extremity pain
    M51.370Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region with discogenic back pain only
    M51.371Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region with lower extremity pain only
    M51.372Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region with discogenic back pain and lower extremity pain

    Showing 1–20 of 36

    DRG Codes

    2 rows

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

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • A middle-aged construction worker presents to the emergency department after lifting a heavy object with abrupt onset of severe low back pain radiating down the left buttock and posterolateral thigh with numbness in the L5 distribution and difficulty dorsiflexing the foot. Neurologic exam shows positive straight leg raise and diminished ankle reflex, prompting MRI that demonstrates a herniated lumbar intervertebral disc compressing the left L5 nerve root; an acute symptomatic lumbar disc disorder code from the group is assigned to capture the acute radiculopathy. Typical codes: M51.16, M51.26
    • A 68-year-old patient with chronic degenerative spine disease follows with progressive axial low back pain worse with standing and intermittent bilateral leg paresthesias for months, managed conservatively with physical therapy and periodic steroid injections; imaging reveals multilevel thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease without acute radiculopathy. Because this is a chronic, non-acute dorsopathy related to intervertebral disc degeneration rather than recent disc extrusion, a chronic or unspecified disc disorder code from the group is used to document the ongoing condition and guide long-term care. Typical codes: M51.36, M51.86
    • A patient with a prior lumbar discectomy presents during a routine visit with recurrent leg pain and new signs of postoperative nerve root compression; MRI shows recurrent disc herniation at the operated level causing symptomatic radiculopathy. This scenario represents a complication or recurrence after spine surgery where a specific post-procedural or recurrent intervertebral disc disorder code from the group is selected to reflect the recurrent symptomatic disc pathology impacting management. Typical codes: M51.37, M51.17

    Related Codes

    M50-CERVICAL-DISC-DISORDERS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Cervical Disc Disorders: Group Overview

    M53-OTHER-AND-UNSPECIFIED-DORSOPATHIES

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other And Unspecified Dorsopathies Not Elsewhere Classified: Group Overview

    M54-DORSALGIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Dorsalgia: 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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