2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M51.16Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M50-M54›M51

ICD-10-CM M51.16
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M51.16 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region. 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. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Low back pain and Spondylopathies/spondyloarthropathy (including infective).

This medical diagnosis code is frequently used in Orthopedics medical specialties to designate conditions such thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M51.16
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region
Short Description
Intervertebral disc disorders w radiculopathy, lumbar region
Parent Code
M51.1
Thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM50-M54Other dorsopathies
CategoryM51Thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders
This CodeM51.16Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Herniation of lumbar intervertebral disc with sciatica
  • Herniation of nucleus pulposus
  • Herniation of nucleus pulposus of lumbar intervertebral disc
  • Lumbago with sciatica
  • Lumbar disc prolapse with radiculopathy
  • Neuritis due to displacement of intervertebral disc
  • Neuritis due to displacement of lumbar intervertebral disc
  • Neuritis due to rupture of intervertebral disc
  • Neuritis due to rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc
  • Pain in lumbar spine
  • Pain of vertebral joint
  • Prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc with sciatica
  • Radiculitis due to displacement of intervertebral disc
  • Radiculitis due to displacement of lumbar intervertebral disc
  • Radiculitis due to rupture of intervertebral disc
  • Radiculitis due to rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc
  • Radiculopathy due to intervertebral disc disorder
  • Radiculopathy due to lumbar intervertebral disc disorder

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Degeneration, degenerative
      • intervertebral disc
        • lumbar region
          • with
            • neuritis, radiculitis, radiculopathy or sciatica
    • Disease, diseased
      • intervertebral disc
        • lumbar (with)
          • neuritis, radiculitis, radiculopathy or sciatica
    • Disorder(of)
      • disc (intervertebral)
        • with
          • radiculopathy
            • lumbar region
    • Displacement, displaced
      • intervertebral disc NEC
        • lumbar region
          • with
            • neuritis, radiculitis, radiculopathy or sciatica

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR MUS038
Low back pain
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No
CCSR MUS011
Spondylopathies/spondyloarthropathy (including infective)
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

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

Convert M51.16 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
722.93 Disc dis NEC/NOS-lumbar
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 M51.16Overview

Is M51.16 a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does M51.16 group to?

When intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region 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 M51.16?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region converts to ICD-9-CM 722.93 (disc dis NEC/NOS-lumbar). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.