Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M48.0

Spinal stenosis

ICD-10-CM Code:
M48.0
ICD-10 Code for:
Spinal stenosis
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
    (M00–M99)
    • Spondylopathies
      (M45-M49)
      • Other spondylopathies
        (M48)

M48.0 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of spinal stenosis. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Spinal stenosis

Non-specific codes like M48.0 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for spinal stenosis:

  • Use M48.00 for Spinal stenosis, site unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M48.01 for Spinal stenosis, occipito-atlanto-axial region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M48.02 for Spinal stenosis, cervical region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M48.03 for Spinal stenosis, cervicothoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M48.04 for Spinal stenosis, thoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M48.05 for Spinal stenosis, thoracolumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • M48.06 for Spinal stenosis, lumbar region - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M48.061 for Spinal stenosis, lumbar region without neurogenic claudication - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M48.062 for Spinal stenosis, lumbar region with neurogenic claudication - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M48.07 for Spinal stenosis, lumbosacral region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M48.08 for Spinal stenosis, sacral and sacrococcygeal region - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Spinal Stenosis

    narrowing of the spinal canal.
  • Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

    spinal stenosis in the lumbar region.
  • Spinal Stenosis

    narrowing of the spinal canal. it may lead to compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots resulting in neck or back pain, and/or numbness or weakness in the extremities.

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • Caudal stenosis

Patient Education


Spinal Stenosis

Your spine, or backbone, protects your spinal cord and allows you to stand and bend. Spinal stenosis causes narrowing in your spine. The narrowing puts pressure on your nerves and spinal cord and can cause pain.

Spinal stenosis occurs mostly in people older than 50. Younger people with a spine injury or a narrow spinal canal are also at risk. Diseases such as arthritis and scoliosis can cause spinal stenosis, too. Symptoms might appear gradually or not at all. They include:

  • Pain in your neck or back
  • Numbness, weakness, cramping, or pain in your arms or legs
  • Pain going down the leg
  • Foot problems

Doctors diagnose spinal stenosis with a physical exam and imaging tests. Treatments include medications, physical therapy, braces, and surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.