Spondylosis and Degenerative Disc Disease ICD-10-CM codes

Spondylosis is coded to M47 by region and by whether the spinal cord or nerve roots are involved. Without myelopathy or radiculopathy, use M47.81-: M47.812 cervical, M47.814 thoracic, M47.816 lumbar, and M47.817 lumbosacral. With radiculopathy, use M47.2-, such as M47.22 cervical or M47.26 lumbar. With myelopathy, use M47.1-, such as M47.12 cervical. M47.9 is spondylosis unspecified.

Degenerative disc disease is a separate diagnosis. Cervical disc degeneration is M50.3-, such as M50.30 for an unspecified level. Thoracic and lumbar disc degeneration is M51.3-. M51.36 (lumbar) and M51.37 (lumbosacral) are no longer billable and need a 6th character for pain: M51.360 with discogenic back pain only, M51.361 with lower extremity pain only, M51.362 with both, and M51.369 without mention of back or leg pain. The lumbosacral codes follow the same pattern, M51.370 to M51.379.

Spondylosis and disc degeneration can be reported together when both are documented. Spinal stenosis is coded separately, for example M48.02 cervical, M48.061 lumbar without neurogenic claudication, and M48.062 with neurogenic claudication. Spondylolisthesis is M43.1-, such as M43.16. A displaced or herniated disc with radiculopathy is M51.16 in the lumbar region; see the herniated disc and sciatica guides.