Other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified
In Other dorsopathies (M50-M54), chapter 13: Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue
22 billable codes under M53: none are a CC or MCC; none map to an HCC.
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Instructional notes
Also applies, from Other dorsopathies (M50-M54)
These notes sit on M50-M54 and apply to every code under it, including M53.
Excludes1: not coded here, use a different code
- current injury - see injury of spine by body region
- discitis NOS (M46.4-)
Official coding guidelines
From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.
Covers site and laterality, acute injury versus chronic musculoskeletal conditions, 7th characters for pathologic fractures, osteoporosis with or without current fracture, and multisystem inflammatory syndrome.
- Site and laterality (page 60)
- Acute traumatic versus chronic or recurrent musculoskeletal conditions (page 61)
- Coding of Pathologic Fractures (page 61)
- Osteoporosis (page 61)
- Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (page 62)
All codes under M53
M53 can't be used on a claim. Pick a billable code below; grey headings group them.
- M53.0Cervicocranial syndrome
- M53.1Cervicobrachial syndrome
- M53.2Spinal instabilities
- M53.2XSpinal instabilities
- M53.2X1Spinal instabilities, occipito-atlanto-axial region
- M53.2X2Spinal instabilities, cervical region
- M53.2X3Spinal instabilities, cervicothoracic region
- M53.2X4Spinal instabilities, thoracic region
- M53.2X5Spinal instabilities, thoracolumbar region
- M53.2X6Spinal instabilities, lumbar region
- M53.2X7Spinal instabilities, lumbosacral region
- M53.2X8Spinal instabilities, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
- M53.2X9Spinal instabilities, site unspecified
- M53.3Sacrococcygeal disorders, not elsewhere classified
- M53.8Other specified dorsopathies
- M53.80Other specified dorsopathies, site unspecified
- M53.81Other specified dorsopathies, occipito-atlanto-axial region
- M53.82Other specified dorsopathies, cervical region
- M53.83Other specified dorsopathies, cervicothoracic region
- M53.84Other specified dorsopathies, thoracic region
- M53.85Other specified dorsopathies, thoracolumbar region
- M53.86Other specified dorsopathies, lumbar region
- M53.87Other specified dorsopathies, lumbosacral region
- M53.88Other specified dorsopathies, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
- M53.9Dorsopathy, unspecified
M53 MS-DRGs
As the principal diagnosis, the billable codes under M53 group to these 7 MS-DRGs (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.
- DRG 551 Medical Back Problems with MCC (13 of 22 codes)
- DRG 552 Medical Back Problems without MCC (13 of 22 codes)
- DRG 564 Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with MCC (7 of 22 codes)
- DRG 565 Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with CC (7 of 22 codes)
- DRG 566 Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses without CC/MCC (7 of 22 codes)
- DRG 073 Cranial and Peripheral Nerve Disorders with MCC (2 of 22 codes)
- DRG 074 Cranial and Peripheral Nerve Disorders without MCC (2 of 22 codes)
Other codes that refer to M53
Notes on these codes point to M53.
- G55 Excludes1: nerve root compression (due to) (in) dorsopathies (M53.-, M54.-)
About the condition
Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.
Spine Injuries and Disorders
Your backbone, or spine, is made up of 26 bone discs called vertebrae. The vertebrae protect your spinal cord and allow you to stand and bend. A number of problems can change the structure of the spine or damage the vertebrae and surrounding tissue. They include:
Read more about spine injuries and disorders on MedlinePlusCode history
Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.