2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M54Dorsalgia

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M50-M54›M54

ICD-10-CM M54
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

M54 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for dorsalgia, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as M54.00, M54.01, M54.02, and M54.03.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M54
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Dorsalgia
Short Description
Dorsalgia
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
CategoryM54Dorsalgia
This CodeM54Dorsalgia

Specific Coding for DorsalgiaOverview

Non-specific codes like M54 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • M54.0 for Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back

  • Use M54.00 for Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, site unspecified

  • Use M54.01 for Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, occipito-atlanto-axial region

  • Use M54.02 for Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, cervical region

  • Use M54.03 for Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, cervicothoracic region

  • Use M54.04 for Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, thoracic region

  • Use M54.05 for Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, thoracolumbar region

  • Use M54.06 for Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, lumbar region

  • Use M54.07 for Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, lumbosacral region

  • Use M54.08 for Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, sacral and sacrococcygeal region

  • Use M54.09 for Panniculitis affecting regions, neck and back, multiple sites in spine

  • M54.1 for Radiculopathy

  • Use M54.10 for Radiculopathy, site unspecified

  • Use M54.11 for Radiculopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region

  • Use M54.12 for Radiculopathy, cervical region

  • Use M54.13 for Radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region

  • Use M54.14 for Radiculopathy, thoracic region

  • Use M54.15 for Radiculopathy, thoracolumbar region

  • Use M54.16 for Radiculopathy, lumbar region

  • Use M54.17 for Radiculopathy, lumbosacral region

  • Use M54.18 for Radiculopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region

  • Use M54.2 for Cervicalgia

  • M54.3 for Sciatica

  • Use M54.30 for Sciatica, unspecified side

  • Use M54.31 for Sciatica, right side

  • Use M54.32 for Sciatica, left side

  • M54.4 for Lumbago with sciatica

  • Use M54.40 for Lumbago with sciatica, unspecified side

  • Use M54.41 for Lumbago with sciatica, right side

  • Use M54.42 for Lumbago with sciatica, left side

  • M54.5 for Low back pain

  • Use M54.50 for Low back pain, unspecified

  • Use M54.51 for Vertebrogenic low back pain

  • Use M54.59 for Other low back pain

  • Use M54.6 for Pain in thoracic spine

  • M54.8 for Other dorsalgia

  • Use M54.81 for Occipital neuralgia

  • Use M54.89 for Other dorsalgia

  • Use M54.9 for Dorsalgia, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to M54: 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.

On M54 itself
  • psychogenic dorsalgia (F45.41)
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 M54, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming M54: 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.-)
  • R52 Pain, unspecified
    spine pain (M54.-)

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming M54: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • G89 Pain, not elsewhere classified
    spine pain (M54.-)
  • R10 Abdominal and pelvic pain
    dorsalgia (M54.-)

Patient EducationClinical

Back Pain

If you've ever groaned, "Oh, my aching back!", you are not alone. Back pain is one of the most common medical problems, affecting 8 out of 10 people at some point during their lives. Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain. Acute back pain comes on suddenly and usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks.

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 M54Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for dorsalgia?

M54 is the ICD-10-CM category for dorsalgia, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is M54 (Dorsalgia) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for dorsalgia, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for dorsalgia need a more specific code from this category, such as M54.00, M54.01, and M54.02.

Can M54 be reported with F45.41?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on M54 lists "psychogenic dorsalgia (F45.41)". 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).