Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M53.2

Spinal instabilities

ICD-10-CM Code:
M53.2
ICD-10 Code for:
Spinal instabilities
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
    (M00–M99)
    • Other dorsopathies
      (M50-M54)
      • Other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified
        (M53)

M53.2 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 instabilities. 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 instabilities

Non-specific codes like M53.2 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 instabilities:

  • M53.2X for Spinal instabilities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M53.2X1 for Spinal instabilities, occipito-atlanto-axial region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M53.2X2 for Spinal instabilities, cervical region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M53.2X3 for Spinal instabilities, cervicothoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M53.2X4 for Spinal instabilities, thoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M53.2X5 for Spinal instabilities, thoracolumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M53.2X6 for Spinal instabilities, lumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M53.2X7 for Spinal instabilities, lumbosacral region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M53.2X8 for Spinal instabilities, sacral and sacrococcygeal region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M53.2X9 for Spinal instabilities, site unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

Patient Education


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:

  • Infections
  • Injuries
  • Tumors
  • Conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis and scoliosis
  • Bone changes that come with age, such as spinal stenosis and herniated disks

Spinal diseases often cause pain when bone changes put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. They can also limit movement. Treatments differ by disease, but sometimes they include back braces and surgery.


[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.