2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M25.50Pain in unspecified joint

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M20-M25›M25

ICD-10-CM M25.50
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M25.50 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for pain in unspecified joint. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 555 through 556. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Musculoskeletal pain, not low back pain.

This medical diagnosis code is frequently used in Family Practice and Internal Medicine medical specialties to designate conditions such pain in joint.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M25.50
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Pain in unspecified joint
Short Description
Pain in unspecified joint
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M25.5
Pain in joint

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM20-M25Other joint disorders
CategoryM25Other joint disorder, not elsewhere classified
This CodeM25.50Pain in unspecified joint

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Anti-citrullinated protein antibody detected
  • Anti-citrullinated protein antibody positive arthralgia
  • Joint pain of pelvic region
  • Pain due to arthritis
  • Pain of joint
  • Pain of joint of pelvis and/or upper leg
  • Pain of multiple joints
  • Pain of tibiofibular joint
  • Pain on joint movement
  • Pain on passive stretch of joint
  • Painful swelling of joint
  • Rubella arthralgia
  • Tenderness of joint

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.

    • Pain(s)
      • joint

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR MUS010
Musculoskeletal pain, not low back pain
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Joint Disorders

Your joints are places where two or more bones come together. Your shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and knuckles are all joints. Your spine has joints, too.

The full article covers:

  • What are joints?
  • What are joint disorders?
  • What diseases can affect the joints?
  • What types of joint disorders happen from sudden injuries?
  • What types of joint disorders happen from overuse?
  • How can I keep my joints healthy?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert M25.50 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
719.40 Joint pain-unspec
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 M25.50Overview

Is M25.50 (Pain in joint) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does M25.50 group to?

When pain in unspecified joint is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 555, 556, with relative weights from 0.8306 to 1.3218 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M25.50?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, pain in unspecified joint converts to ICD-9-CM 719.40 (joint pain-unspec). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.