2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M48.46XSFatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbar region, sequela of fracture
M48.46XS is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for fatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbar region, sequela of fracture. The 7th character S marks it as a sequela code, which reports a problem that remains after the original condition has resolved. 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. Coders also document this condition as stress fracture of lumbar vertebra. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Pathological, stress and atypical fractures, sequela.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Stress fracture of lumbar vertebra
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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 M48.46XS to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About M48.46XSOverview
Is M48.46XS (Fatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbar region) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report fatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbar region, sequela of fracture on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character S in M48.46XS mean?
The final character S makes this a sequela code: it reports a lingering problem that remains after the fatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbar region itself has resolved, not the original event.
What MS-DRG does M48.46XS group to?
When fatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbar region, sequela of fracture 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 M48.46XS?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, fatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbar region, sequela of fracture converts to ICD-9-CM 905.1 (late eff spine/trunk fx). 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.
