2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A52.11Tabes dorsalis

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A50-A64›A52

ICD-10-CM A52.11
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

A52.11 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for tabes dorsalis. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). Coders also document this condition as posterior cord syndrome due to tabetic neurosyphilis. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified CNS infection and poliomyelitis and Sexually transmitted infections (excluding HIV and hepatitis).

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
A52.11
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Tabes dorsalis
Short Description
Tabes dorsalis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
A52.1
Symptomatic neurosyphilis

Code Classification

ChapterA00–B99Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
SectionA50-A64Infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission
CategoryA52Late syphilis
This CodeA52.11Tabes dorsalis

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Posterior cord syndrome due to tabetic neurosyphilis
  • Progressive locomotor ataxia
  • Progressive spinal ataxia
  • Spinal ataxia
  • Tabetic neurosyphilis

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Locomotor ataxia (progressive)
  • Tabetic neurosyphilis

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Ataxia, ataxy, ataxic
      • locomotor (progressive) (syphilitic) (partial) (spastic)
    • Ataxia, ataxy, ataxic
      • spinal
        • progressive (syphilitic)
    • Atrophy, atrophic(of)
      • bone (senile) NEC
        • due to
          • tabes dorsalis (neurogenic)
    • Atrophy, atrophic(of)
      • neurogenic, bone, tabetic
    • Crisis
      • Pel's (tabetic)
    • Crisis
      • tabetic
    • Duchenne's
      • locomotor ataxia (syphilitic)
    • Neurosyphilis(arrested) (early) (gumma) (late) (latent) (recurrent) (relapse)
      • tabes, tabetic (dorsalis)
    • Pel's crisis
    • Radiculopathy
      • syphilitic
    • Sclerosis, sclerotic
      • spinal (cord) (progressive)
        • combined
          • syphilitic
    • Sclerosis, sclerotic
      • spinal (cord) (progressive)
        • posterior (syphilitic)
    • Spondylopathy
      • neuropathic, in
        • tabes dorsalis
    • Syphilis, syphilitic(acquired)
      • ataxia (locomotor)
    • Syphilis, syphilitic(acquired)
      • central nervous system (late) (recurrent) (relapse) (tertiary)
        • with
          • ataxia
    • Syphilis, syphilitic(acquired)
      • central nervous system (late) (recurrent) (relapse) (tertiary)
        • with
          • tabes (dorsalis)
    • Syphilis, syphilitic(acquired)
      • combined spinal sclerosis
    • Syphilis, syphilitic(acquired)
      • conjugal
        • tabes
    • Syphilis, syphilitic(acquired)
      • late
        • tabes
    • Syphilis, syphilitic(acquired)
      • locomotor ataxia
    • Syphilis, syphilitic(acquired)
      • sclerosis
        • multiple
    • Syphilis, syphilitic(acquired)
      • tabes dorsalis (late)
    • Syphilis, syphilitic(acquired)
      • tabetic type
    • Syphilis, syphilitic(acquired)
      • ulcer (any site) (early) (secondary)
        • perforating
          • foot
    • Tabes, tabetic
      • bone
    • Tabes, tabetic
      • dorsalis
    • Ulcer, ulcerated, ulcerating, ulceration, ulcerative
      • syphilitic (any site) (early) (secondary)
        • perforating
          • foot

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR NVS003
Other specified CNS infection and poliomyelitis
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No
CCSR INF010
Sexually transmitted infections (excluding HIV and hepatitis)
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Tabes Dorsalis

    parenchymatous neurosyphilis marked by slowly progressive degeneration of the posterior columns, posterior roots, and ganglia of the spinal cord. the condition tends to present 15 to 20 years after the initial infection and is characterized by lightening-like pains in the lower extremities, urinary incontinence; ataxia; severely impaired position and vibratory sense, abnormal gait (see gait disorders, neurologic), optic atrophy; argyll-robertson pupils, hypotonia, hyperreflexia, and trophic joint degeneration (charcot's joint; see arthropathy, neurogenic). (from adams et al., principles of neurology, 6th ed, p726)

  • Tabes Dorsalis

    a form of neurosyphilis characterized by slowly progressive degeneration of the spinal cord. signs and symptoms include pain, ataxia, loss of coordination, personality changes, blindness, urinary incontinence, dementia, and degeneration of the joints.

Patient EducationClinical

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It infects the genital area, lips, mouth, or anus of both men and women. You usually get syphilis from sexual contact with someone who has it. It can also pass from mother to baby during pregnancy.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert A52.11 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
094.0 Tabes dorsalis
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About A52.11Overview

Is A52.11 (Symptomatic neurosyphilis) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report tabes dorsalis on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of A52.11?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, tabes dorsalis converts to ICD-9-CM 094.0 (tabes dorsalis). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.