2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M25.539Pain in unspecified wrist

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M20-M25›M25

ICD-10-CM M25.539
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M25.539 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for pain in unspecified wrist. 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. Coders also document this condition as pain of distal radioulnar joint. 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
M25.539
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Pain in unspecified wrist
Short Description
Pain in unspecified wrist
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M25.53
Pain in wrist

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM20-M25Other joint disorders
CategoryM25Other joint disorder, not elsewhere classified
This CodeM25.539Pain in unspecified wrist

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Pain of distal radioulnar joint
  • Pain of joint of wrist
  • Pain of wrist region
  • Tenderness of upper limb
  • Tenderness of wrist joint
  • Wrist joint painful on movement

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

Pain

Pain is a signal in your nervous system that something may be wrong. It is an unpleasant feeling, such as a prick, tingle, sting, burn, or ache. Each person feels pain differently, even if the reason for the pain is the same. Pain may be sharp or dull. It may be mild or severe. Pain may come and go, or it may be constant.

The full article covers:

  • What is pain?
  • What are the types of pain?
  • What causes pain?
  • How is pain diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for pain?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert M25.539 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
719.43 Joint pain-forearm
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 M25.539Overview

Is M25.539 (Pain in wrist) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does M25.539 group to?

When pain in unspecified wrist 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 M25.539?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, pain in unspecified wrist converts to ICD-9-CM 719.43 (joint pain-forearm). 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.