2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M54Dorsalgia

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M50-M54›M54

ICD-10-CM M54
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

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
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

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Type 1 Excludes

  • psychogenic dorsalgia F45.41

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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About M54Overview

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.