2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M48.43XGFatigue fracture of vertebra, cervicothoracic region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M45-M49›M48

ICD-10-CM M48.43XG
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M48.43XG is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervicothoracic region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing. The 7th character G reports a subsequent encounter for a fracture that is healing more slowly than expected. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 559 through 561. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Stress fracture, subsequent encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M48.43XG
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervicothoracic region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
Short Description
Fatigue fx vert, cervicothor rgn, subs for fx w delay heal
Parent Code
M48.43
Fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervicothoracic region

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM45-M49Spondylopathies
CategoryM48Other spondylopathies
This CodeM48.43XGFatigue fracture of vertebra, cervicothoracic region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR MUS017
Stress fracture, subsequent encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Fractures

A fracture is a break in a bone. Fractures are usually caused by injuries. Since they can sometimes be serious, it's important to get medical care right away if you think you have a fracture.

The full article covers:

  • What is a fracture?
  • What are the different types of fractures?
  • What causes fractures?
  • What are the symptoms of a fracture?
  • How are fractures diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for fractures?
  • Can fractures be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert M48.43XG to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
V54.27 Aftrcare path fx vertebr
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 M48.43XGOverview

Is M48.43XG (Fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervicothoracic region) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervicothoracic region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character G in M48.43XG mean?

The final character G reports a subsequent encounter where the fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervicothoracic region is healing more slowly than expected.

What MS-DRG does M48.43XG group to?

When fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervicothoracic region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 559, 560, 561, with relative weights from 0.8039 to 1.8649 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M48.43XG?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervicothoracic region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing converts to ICD-9-CM V54.27 (aftrcare path fx vertebr). 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.