2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M43Other deforming dorsopathies

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M40-M43›M43

ICD-10-CM M43
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

M43 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for other deforming dorsopathies, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as M43.00, M43.01, M43.02, and M43.03.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M43
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Other deforming dorsopathies
Short Description
Other deforming dorsopathies
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
M40-M43
Deforming dorsopathies

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM40-M43Deforming dorsopathies
CategoryM43Other deforming dorsopathies
This CodeM43Other deforming dorsopathies

Specific Coding for Other deforming dorsopathiesOverview

Non-specific codes like M43 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • M43.0 for Spondylolysis

  • Use M43.00 for Spondylolysis, site unspecified

  • Use M43.01 for Spondylolysis, occipito-atlanto-axial region

  • Use M43.02 for Spondylolysis, cervical region

  • Use M43.03 for Spondylolysis, cervicothoracic region

  • Use M43.04 for Spondylolysis, thoracic region

  • Use M43.05 for Spondylolysis, thoracolumbar region

  • Use M43.06 for Spondylolysis, lumbar region

  • Use M43.07 for Spondylolysis, lumbosacral region

  • Use M43.08 for Spondylolysis, sacral and sacrococcygeal region

  • Use M43.09 for Spondylolysis, multiple sites in spine

  • M43.1 for Spondylolisthesis

  • Use M43.10 for Spondylolisthesis, site unspecified

  • Use M43.11 for Spondylolisthesis, occipito-atlanto-axial region

  • Use M43.12 for Spondylolisthesis, cervical region

  • Use M43.13 for Spondylolisthesis, cervicothoracic region

  • Use M43.14 for Spondylolisthesis, thoracic region

  • Use M43.15 for Spondylolisthesis, thoracolumbar region

  • Use M43.16 for Spondylolisthesis, lumbar region

  • Use M43.17 for Spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral region

  • Use M43.18 for Spondylolisthesis, sacral and sacrococcygeal region

  • Use M43.19 for Spondylolisthesis, multiple sites in spine

  • M43.2 for Fusion of spine

  • Use M43.20 for Fusion of spine, site unspecified

  • Use M43.21 for Fusion of spine, occipito-atlanto-axial region

  • Use M43.22 for Fusion of spine, cervical region

  • Use M43.23 for Fusion of spine, cervicothoracic region

  • Use M43.24 for Fusion of spine, thoracic region

  • Use M43.25 for Fusion of spine, thoracolumbar region

  • Use M43.26 for Fusion of spine, lumbar region

  • Use M43.27 for Fusion of spine, lumbosacral region

  • Use M43.28 for Fusion of spine, sacral and sacrococcygeal region

  • Use M43.3 for Recurrent atlantoaxial dislocation with myelopathy

  • Use M43.4 for Other recurrent atlantoaxial dislocation

  • M43.5 for Other recurrent vertebral dislocation

  • M43.5X for Other recurrent vertebral dislocation

  • Use M43.6 for Torticollis

  • M43.8 for Other specified deforming dorsopathies

  • M43.8X for Other specified deforming dorsopathies

  • Use M43.9 for Deforming dorsopathy, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to M43: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 13. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

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

  • congenital spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis (Q76.2)
  • hemivertebra (Q76.3-Q76.4)
  • Klippel-Feil syndrome (Q76.1)
  • lumbarization and sacralization (Q76.4)
  • platyspondylisis (Q76.4)
  • spina bifida occulta (Q76.0)
  • spinal curvature in osteoporosis (M80.-)
  • spinal curvature in Paget's disease of bone [osteitis deformans] (M88.-)

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 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.

Patient EducationClinical

Spine Injuries and Disorders

Your backbone, or spine, is made up of 26 bone discs called vertebrae. The vertebrae protect your spinal cord and allow you to stand and bend. A number of problems can change the structure of the spine or damage the vertebrae and surrounding tissue. They include:

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About M43Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for other deforming dorsopathies?

M43 is the ICD-10-CM category for other deforming dorsopathies, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is M43 (Other deforming dorsopathies) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for other deforming dorsopathies, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for other deforming dorsopathies need a more specific code from this category, such as M43.00, M43.01, and M43.02.

Can M43 be reported with Q76.2?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on M43 lists "congenital spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis (Q76.2)". 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).