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  6. 2026 ICD-10-CM Code M46

2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M46

Other inflammatory spondylopathies

ICD-10-CM Code:
M46
ICD-10 Code for:
Other inflammatory spondylopathies
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

M46 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of other inflammatory spondylopathies. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2026 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Other inflammatory spondylopathies

Non-specific codes like M46 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for other inflammatory spondylopathies:

  • M46.0 for Spinal enthesopathy - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.00 for Spinal enthesopathy, site unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.01 for Spinal enthesopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.02 for Spinal enthesopathy, cervical region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.03 for Spinal enthesopathy, cervicothoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.04 for Spinal enthesopathy, thoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.05 for Spinal enthesopathy, thoracolumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.06 for Spinal enthesopathy, lumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.07 for Spinal enthesopathy, lumbosacral region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.08 for Spinal enthesopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.09 for Spinal enthesopathy, multiple sites in spine - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.1 for Sacroiliitis, not elsewhere classified - BILLABLE CODE

  • M46.2 for Osteomyelitis of vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.20 for Osteomyelitis of vertebra, site unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.21 for Osteomyelitis of vertebra, occipito-atlanto-axial region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.22 for Osteomyelitis of vertebra, cervical region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.23 for Osteomyelitis of vertebra, cervicothoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.24 for Osteomyelitis of vertebra, thoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.25 for Osteomyelitis of vertebra, thoracolumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.26 for Osteomyelitis of vertebra, lumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.27 for Osteomyelitis of vertebra, lumbosacral region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.28 for Osteomyelitis of vertebra, sacral and sacrococcygeal region - BILLABLE CODE

  • M46.3 for Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic) - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.30 for Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), site unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.31 for Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), occipito-atlanto-axial region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.32 for Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), cervical region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.33 for Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), cervicothoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.34 for Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), thoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.35 for Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), thoracolumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.36 for Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), lumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.37 for Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), lumbosacral region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.38 for Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), sacral and sacrococcygeal region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.39 for Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), multiple sites in spine - BILLABLE CODE

  • M46.4 for Discitis, unspecified - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.40 for Discitis, unspecified, site unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.41 for Discitis, unspecified, occipito-atlanto-axial region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.42 for Discitis, unspecified, cervical region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.43 for Discitis, unspecified, cervicothoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.44 for Discitis, unspecified, thoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.45 for Discitis, unspecified, thoracolumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.46 for Discitis, unspecified, lumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.47 for Discitis, unspecified, lumbosacral region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.48 for Discitis, unspecified, sacral and sacrococcygeal region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.49 for Discitis, unspecified, multiple sites in spine - BILLABLE CODE

  • M46.5 for Other infective spondylopathies - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.50 for Other infective spondylopathies, site unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.51 for Other infective spondylopathies, occipito-atlanto-axial region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.52 for Other infective spondylopathies, cervical region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.53 for Other infective spondylopathies, cervicothoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.54 for Other infective spondylopathies, thoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.55 for Other infective spondylopathies, thoracolumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.56 for Other infective spondylopathies, lumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.57 for Other infective spondylopathies, lumbosacral region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.58 for Other infective spondylopathies, sacral and sacrococcygeal region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.59 for Other infective spondylopathies, multiple sites in spine - BILLABLE CODE

  • M46.8 for Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.80 for Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, site unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.81 for Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, occipito-atlanto-axial region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.82 for Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, cervical region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.83 for Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, cervicothoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.84 for Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, thoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.85 for Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, thoracolumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.86 for Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, lumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.87 for Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, lumbosacral region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.88 for Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, sacral and sacrococcygeal region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.89 for Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, multiple sites in spine - BILLABLE CODE

  • M46.9 for Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.90 for Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, site unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.91 for Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.92 for Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, cervical region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.93 for Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, cervicothoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.94 for Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, thoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.95 for Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, thoracolumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.96 for Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, lumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.97 for Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, lumbosacral region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.98 for Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.99 for Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, multiple sites in spine - BILLABLE CODE

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
    M00–M99
    • Spondylopathies
      M45-M49
      • Other inflammatory spondylopathies
        M46

Patient Education


Ankylosing Spondylitis

What is ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis of the spine. It causes inflammation (swelling) between your vertebrae (the bones that make up your spine) and the joints between your spine and pelvis. AS inflammation can cause stiffness and make it difficult to move and bend.

Symptoms of AS can range from mild to severe back pain. Over time, AS can fuse (grow together) your vertebrae, limiting movement and causing a hunched posture. In some people, AS can affect other joints or body parts.

There is no cure for AS, but early treatment can help manage symptoms, slow down the disease, and help you lead a more productive life.

Who is more likely to get ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis usually starts before age 45. Early symptoms may begin between the ages of 15 and 30. Your chance of developing AS can also increase if:

  • You're a man. AS is more common and severe in men.
  • You have a family history. If a member of your family has AS, you're more likely to get the disease.
  • You have other medical conditions that may increase your risk of getting AS. These include Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or psoriasis.

What causes ankylosing spondylitis?

No one knows what causes ankylosing spondylitis, but the environment and genes likely play a role. Your genes are parts of DNA in your cells that are passed down from your parents. Certain genes may increase your risk of getting the disease, but not everyone with these genes gets AS.

What are the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis?

AS affects people differently. The most common symptom is pain and stiffness in the lower back and/or hips. The pain is usually worse during the night or after sitting for a long time.

Over time, AS may progress to other areas of your spine or body. Symptoms may depend on which areas of your body the disease affects. Some people have symptoms that come and go. Others may have severe, ongoing pain.

Other symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis may include:

  • Pain, stiffness, and inflammation of the joints.
  • Difficulty taking a deep breath. This could occur if the joints connecting the ribs are affected.
  • Changes in vision.
  • Fatigue.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Weight loss.
  • Skin rashes, such as psoriasis.
  • Abdominal (belly) pain and loose stools (poop).

How is ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed?

There is no single test for ankylosing spondylitis. To find out if you have AS your health care provider may:

  • Ask about your medical history, including your symptoms.
  • Ask about your family health history, including relatives who have had AS.
  • Do a physical exam.
  • Order blood tests or imaging studies.

What are the treatments for ankylosing spondylitis?

AS has no cure, but treatment may help relieve symptoms, maintain posture, and slow down the disease. Since other parts of your body can be affected by AS, you will likely work with a team of health care professionals for tests, diagnosis, and care.

Treatment usually includes medicine to help relieve symptoms and keep the disease from getting worse, as well as physical therapy to improve mobility. If AS is severe, surgery may be needed.

You can help manage your AS symptoms if you:

  • Exercise
  • Monitor your symptoms
  • Manage your stress
  • Use assistive devices as needed
  • Follow a healthy diet
  • Stop smoking, or don't start

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2026 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026
  • FY 2025 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2025
  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.