2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M53.1Cervicobrachial syndrome

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M50-M54›M53

ICD-10-CM M53.1
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

M53.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for cervicobrachial syndrome. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 73 through 74. Coders also document this condition as cervical syndrome. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Spondylopathies/spondyloarthropathy (including infective).

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M53.1
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Cervicobrachial syndrome
Short Description
Cervicobrachial syndrome
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M53
Other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM50-M54Other dorsopathies
CategoryM53Other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified
This CodeM53.1Cervicobrachial syndrome

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Cervical syndrome
  • Cervicobrachialgia
  • Diffuse cervicobrachial syndrome
  • Finding of sensation of musculoskeletal structure of neck
  • Pain in cervical spine
  • Pain of vertebral joint

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to M53.1: 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.

On M53.1 itself
  • cervical disc disorder (M50.-)
  • thoracic outlet syndrome (G54.0)
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 M53.1, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming M53.1: 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.-) names M53.-, which includes this code

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR MUS011
Spondylopathies/spondyloarthropathy (including infective)
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Brachial Plexus Injuries

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that sends signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Damage to the brachial plexus can cause symptoms such as:

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert M53.1 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
723.3 Cervicobrachial syndrome
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

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 M53.1Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for cervicobrachial syndrome?

The ICD-10-CM code for cervicobrachial syndrome is M53.1 (sometimes written as M531). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is M53.1 (Other and unspecified dorsopathies, not elsewhere classified) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report cervicobrachial syndrome on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does M53.1 group to?

When cervicobrachial syndrome is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 74, 73, with relative weights from 1.0172 to 1.5773 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can M53.1 be reported with a code from M46.4?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block M50-M54, which applies to M53.1, 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).

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M53.1?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, cervicobrachial syndrome converts to ICD-9-CM 723.3 (cervicobrachial syndrome). The mapping is a direct match.