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  6. 2026 ICD-10-CM Code M54

2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M54

Dorsalgia

ICD-10-CM Code:
M54
ICD-10 Code for:
Dorsalgia
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

M54 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity from the list below for a diagnosis of dorsalgia. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2026 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Dorsalgia

Non-specific codes like M54 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following billable codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for dorsalgia:

  • 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

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
    M00–M99

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • psychogenic dorsalgia F45.41

Patient Education


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. Back pain is called chronic if it lasts for more than three months.

Most back pain goes away on its own, though it may take awhile. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and resting can help. However, staying in bed for more than 1 or 2 days can make it worse.

If your back pain is severe or doesn't improve after three days, you should call your health care provider. You should also get medical attention if you have back pain following an injury.

Treatment for back pain depends on what kind of pain you have, and what is causing it. It may include hot or cold packs, exercise, medicines, injections, complementary treatments, and sometimes surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the United States. It might feel like a dull, constant ache or a sudden, sharp pain.
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2026 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026
  • FY 2025 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2025
  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.