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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code M54.1
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M54.1

Radiculopathy

ICD-10-CM Code:
M54.1
ICD-10 Code for:
Radiculopathy
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
    (M00–M99)

M54.1 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of radiculopathy. 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 Radiculopathy

Non-specific codes like M54.1 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 radiculopathy:

  • Use M54.10 for Radiculopathy, site unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M54.11 for Radiculopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M54.12 for Radiculopathy, cervical region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M54.13 for Radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M54.14 for Radiculopathy, thoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M54.15 for Radiculopathy, thoracolumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M54.16 for Radiculopathy, lumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M54.17 for Radiculopathy, lumbosacral region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M54.18 for Radiculopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Radiculopathy

    disease involving a spinal nerve root (see spinal nerve roots) which may result from compression related to intervertebral disk displacement; spinal cord injuries; spinal diseases; and other conditions. clinical manifestations include radicular pain, weakness, and sensory loss referable to structures innervated by the involved nerve root.

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.
  • Brachial neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Lumbar neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Lumbosacral neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Thoracic neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Radiculitis NOS

Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • neuralgia and neuritis NOS M79.2
  • radiculopathy with cervical disc disorder M50.1
  • radiculopathy with lumbar and other intervertebral disc disorder M51.1
  • radiculopathy with spondylosis M47.2

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Patient Education


Back Pain

If you've ever groaned, "Oh, my aching back!", you are not alone. Back pain is one of the most common medical problems, affecting 8 out of 10 people at some point during their lives. Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain. Acute back pain comes on suddenly and usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Back pain is called chronic if it lasts for more than three months.

Most back pain goes away on its own, though it may take awhile. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and resting can help. However, staying in bed for more than 1 or 2 days can make it worse.

If your back pain is severe or doesn't improve after three days, you should call your health care provider. You should also get medical attention if you have back pain following an injury.

Treatment for back pain depends on what kind of pain you have, and what is causing it. It may include hot or cold packs, exercise, medicines, injections, complementary treatments, and sometimes surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the United States. It might feel like a dull, constant ache or a sudden, sharp pain.
[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.