2027 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 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

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
Short Description
Other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
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

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to M53: its own notes plus those printed at block M50-M54 and Chapter 13. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From Block M50-M54 Other dorsopathies applies to 133 codes
  • current injury - see injury of spine by body region
  • discitis NOS (M46.4-)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Chapter 13 (M00-M99) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue applies to 6,687 codes
  • arthropathic psoriasis (L40.5-)
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • compartment syndrome (traumatic) (T79.A-)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 13 (M00-M99) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue applies to 6,687 codes
  • Use an external cause code following the code for the musculoskeletal condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the musculoskeletal condition

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name M53, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming M53: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • G55 Nerve root and plexus compressions in diseases classified elsewhere
    nerve root compression (due to) (in) dorsopathies (M53.-, M54.-)

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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About M53Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified?

M53 is the ICD-10-CM category for other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

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.

Can M53 be reported with a code from M46.4?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block M50-M54, which applies to M53, lists "discitis NOS (M46.4-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).