Scoliosis ICD-10-CM codes

Category M41 classifies scoliosis by type at the 4th character and by spinal region at the 5th and 6th: 0 infantile idiopathic, 1 juvenile and adolescent idiopathic, 2 other idiopathic, 3 thoracogenic, 4 neuromuscular, 5 other secondary, 8 other forms, 9 unspecified. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of the thoracic spine is M41.124; the lumbar region is M41.126, thoracolumbar M41.125, and site unspecified M41.129. Juvenile onset (age 3 to 10) uses M41.11-, and adult idiopathic scoliosis without a documented onset age is usually reported as other idiopathic scoliosis, M41.2-.

M41.9 (scoliosis, unspecified) is the fallback for documentation that says only scoliosis and is common in primary care. Neuromuscular scoliosis (M41.4-) carries a code-first note for the underlying condition such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. Congenital scoliosis from a vertebral malformation is a chapter 17 code, Q76.3, and other congenital spinal deformity is Q67.5; these are not coded to M41 even in adults.

Postsurgical and postradiation deformities are in M96: M96.5 postradiation scoliosis, M96.2 postradiation kyphosis, M96.3 postlaminectomy kyphosis. Kyphosis and lordosis without scoliosis are category M40 (M40.204 unspecified kyphosis, thoracic region). Curve magnitude in degrees does not affect the code but should be documented for medical necessity of bracing or surgery.