2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M25.69Stiffness of other specified joint, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M20-M25›M25

ICD-10-CM M25.69
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

M25.69 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for stiffness of other specified joint, not elsewhere classified. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) 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.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M25.69
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Stiffness of other specified joint, not elsewhere classified
Short Description
Stiffness of other specified joint, not elsewhere classified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M25.6
Stiffness of joint, not elsewhere classified

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM20-M25Other joint disorders
CategoryM25Other joint disorder, not elsewhere classified
This CodeM25.69Stiffness of other specified joint, not elsewhere classified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to M25.69: its own notes plus those printed at M25.6, M25, block M00-M25, block M20-M25, and Chapter 13. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

From Block M00-M25 applies to 2,249 codes
  • Disorders affecting predominantly peripheral (limb) joints

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From M25.6 Stiffness of joint, not elsewhere classified applies to 26 codes

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From M25 Other joint disorder, not elsewhere classified applies to 225 codes
  • abnormality of gait and mobility (R26.-)
  • acquired deformities of limb (M20-M21)
  • calcification of bursa (M71.4-)
  • calcification of shoulder (joint) (M75.3)
  • calcification of tendon (M65.2-)
  • difficulty in walking (R26.2)
  • temporomandibular joint disorder (M26.6-)
From Block M20-M25 Other joint disorders applies to 719 codes
From Chapter 13 (M00-M99) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue applies to 6,687 codes
  • arthropathic psoriasis (L40.5-)
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • compartment syndrome (traumatic) (T79.A-)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 13 (M00-M99) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue applies to 6,687 codes
  • Use an external cause code following the code for the musculoskeletal condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the musculoskeletal condition

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name M25.69, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming M25.69: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • M24.6 Ankylosis of joint
    stiffness of joint without ankylosis (M25.6-) names M25.6-, which includes this code

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

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.

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement M25.69 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • M25.60 - Stiffness of unspecified joint, not elsewhere classified
FY 2021AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2020.
FY 2022–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About M25.69Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for stiffness of other specified joint, not elsewhere classified?

The ICD-10-CM code for stiffness of other specified joint, not elsewhere classified is M25.69 (sometimes written as M2569). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is M25.69 (Stiffness of joint, not elsewhere classified) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report stiffness of other specified joint, not elsewhere classified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does M25.69 group to?

When stiffness of other specified joint, not elsewhere classified is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 555, 556, with relative weights from 0.8210 to 1.2908 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can M25.69 be reported with a code from M24.6?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at M25.6, which applies to M25.69, lists "ankylosis of joint (M24.6-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).