2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M25.78Osteophyte, vertebrae

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M20-M25›M25

ICD-10-CM M25.78
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M25.78 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for osteophyte, vertebrae. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 551 through 552. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified joint disorders.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M25.78
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Osteophyte, vertebrae
Short Description
Osteophyte, vertebrae
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M25.7
Osteophyte

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM20-M25Other joint disorders
CategoryM25Other joint disorder, not elsewhere classified
This CodeM25.78Osteophyte, vertebrae

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Bone spur of vertebra
  • Degeneration of cervical intervertebral disc
  • Degeneration of cervical intervertebral disc and osteophyte of cervical vertebra
  • Degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc
  • Degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc and osteophyte of lumbar vertebra
  • Degeneration of thoracic intervertebral disc
  • Degeneration of thoracic intervertebral disc and osteophyte
  • Mass of thoracic vertebrae
  • Osteophyte of vertebra due to intervertebral disc degeneration
  • Syndesmophyte

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.

    • Osteophyte
      • spine
    • Osteophyte
      • vertebrae

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR MUS007
Other specified joint disorders
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Osteophyte

    bony outgrowth usually found around joints and often seen in conditions such as arthritis.

  • Arthritis

    acute or chronic inflammation of joints.

Patient EducationClinical

Bone Diseases

Your bones help you move, give you shape and support your body. They are living tissues that rebuild constantly throughout your life. During childhood and your teens, your body adds new bone faster than it removes old bone. After about age 20, you can lose bone faster than you make bone.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert M25.78 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
721.8 Spinal disorders NEC
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 M25.78Overview

Is M25.78 (Osteophyte) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does M25.78 group to?

When osteophyte, vertebrae is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 551, 552, with relative weights from 0.9613 to 1.6761 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M25.78?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, osteophyte, vertebrae converts to ICD-9-CM 721.8 (spinal disorders NEC). 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.