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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code M51.4
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M51.4

Schmorl's nodes

ICD-10-CM Code:
M51.4
ICD-10 Code for:
Schmorl's nodes
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
    (M00–M99)
    • Other dorsopathies
      (M50-M54)
      • Thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders
        (M51)

M51.4 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of schmorl's nodes. 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 Schmorl's nodes

Non-specific codes like M51.4 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 schmorl's nodes:

  • Use M51.44 for Schmorl's nodes, thoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M51.45 for Schmorl's nodes, thoracolumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M51.46 for Schmorl's nodes, lumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M51.47 for Schmorl's nodes, lumbosacral region - BILLABLE CODE

Patient Education


Herniated Disk

Your backbone, or spine, is made up of 26 bones called vertebrae. In between them are soft disks filled with a jelly-like substance. These disks cushion the vertebrae and keep them in place. As you age, the disks break down or degenerate. As they do, they lose their cushioning ability. This can lead to pain if the back is stressed.

A herniated disk is a disk that ruptures. This allows the jelly-like center of the disk to leak, irritating the nearby nerves. This can cause sciatica or back pain.

Your doctor will diagnose a herniated disk with a physical exam and, sometimes, imaging tests. With treatment, most people recover. Treatments include rest, pain and anti-inflammatory medicines, physical therapy, and sometimes 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.