2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M53Other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M50-M54›M53

ICD-10-CM M53
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M53 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as M53.0, M53.1, M53.2X1, and M53.2X2.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M53
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified
Chapter
M50-M54
Other dorsopathies

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM50-M54Other dorsopathies
CategoryM53Other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified
This CodeM53Other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified

Specific Coding for Other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classifiedOverview

Non-specific codes like M53 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use M53.0 for Cervicocranial syndrome

  • Use M53.1 for Cervicobrachial syndrome

  • M53.2 for Spinal instabilities

  • M53.2X for Spinal instabilities

  • Use M53.3 for Sacrococcygeal disorders, not elsewhere classified

  • M53.8 for Other specified dorsopathies

  • Use M53.80 for Other specified dorsopathies, site unspecified

  • Use M53.81 for Other specified dorsopathies, occipito-atlanto-axial region

  • Use M53.82 for Other specified dorsopathies, cervical region

  • Use M53.83 for Other specified dorsopathies, cervicothoracic region

  • Use M53.84 for Other specified dorsopathies, thoracic region

  • Use M53.85 for Other specified dorsopathies, thoracolumbar region

  • Use M53.86 for Other specified dorsopathies, lumbar region

  • Use M53.87 for Other specified dorsopathies, lumbosacral region

  • Use M53.88 for Other specified dorsopathies, sacral and sacrococcygeal region

  • Use M53.9 for Dorsopathy, unspecified

Patient EducationClinical

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:

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

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 M53Overview

Is M53 (Other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified need a more specific code from this category, such as M53.0, M53.1, and M53.2X1.