2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M72.1Knuckle pads

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M70-M79›M72

ICD-10-CM M72.1
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M72.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for knuckle pads. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 557 through 558. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified connective tissue disease.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M72.1
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Knuckle pads
Short Description
Knuckle pads
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M72
Fibroblastic disorders

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM70-M79Other soft tissue disorders
CategoryM72Fibroblastic disorders
This CodeM72.1Knuckle pads

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Angular cheilitis
  • Bilateral knuckle pad of hands
  • Bilateral mass of skin of hands
  • Circumscribed palmoplantar keratoderma
  • Congenital leukonychia
  • Focal acral hyperkeratosis
  • Knuckle pad of left hand
  • Knuckle pad of right hand
  • Knuckle pads
  • Knuckle pads, leukonychia, sensorineural deafness, palmoplantar hyperkeratosis syndrome
  • PLACK syndrome
  • Punctate palmoplantar keratoderma

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Garrod's pad, knuckle
    • Knuckle pad(Garrod's)
    • Pad, knuckle or Garrod's

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR MUS025
Other specified connective tissue disease
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Knuckle Pads

    benign skin fibromas, typically occurring over the small joints of the hands and feet, that are associated with repetitive friction or pressure.

  • Bart-Pumphrey Syndrome|Knuckle Pads, Leukonychia and Sensorineural Deafness|Knuckle pads, leuconychia and deafness

    a rare autosomal dominant condition caused by mutation(s) in the gjb2 gene, encoding gap junction beta-2 protein (connexin-26). this condition is characterized by sensorineural hearing loss, hyperkeratotic plaques on finger joints (knuckle pads), and white discoloration of nails (leukonychia) and may also be associated with palmoplantar keratoderma.

Patient EducationClinical

Finger Injuries and Disorders

You use your fingers and thumbs to do everything from grasping objects to playing musical instruments to typing. When there is something wrong with them, it can make life difficult. Common problems include:

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert M72.1 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
728.79 Fibromatoses NEC
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 M72.1Overview

Is M72.1 (Fibroblastic disorders) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report knuckle pads on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does M72.1 group to?

When knuckle pads is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 557, 558, with relative weights from 0.8932 to 1.4869 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M72.1?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, knuckle pads converts to ICD-9-CM 728.79 (fibromatoses NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.