Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M46.3

Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic)

ICD-10-CM Code:
M46.3
ICD-10 Code for:
Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic)
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

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

M46.3 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic). The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 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 Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic)

Non-specific codes like M46.3 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 infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic):

  • 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

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Use Additional Code

Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.

Patient Education


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:

  • Infections
  • Injuries
  • Tumors
  • Conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis and scoliosis
  • Bone changes that come with age, such as spinal stenosis and herniated disks

Spinal diseases often cause pain when bone changes put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. They can also limit movement. Treatments differ by disease, but sometimes they include back braces and surgery.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • 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.