2027 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 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

M72.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for knuckle pads. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) 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

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to M72.1: its own notes plus those printed at M72 and Chapter 13. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

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 M72 Fibroblastic disorders applies to 9 codes
  • retroperitoneal fibromatosis (D48.3)
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.

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 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.

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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About M72.1Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for knuckle pads?

The ICD-10-CM code for knuckle pads is M72.1 (sometimes written as M721). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

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, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

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 0.8873 to 1.4883 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.