2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M79.609Pain in unspecified limb
ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M70-M79›M79
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
M79.609 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for pain in unspecified limb. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 555 through 556. Coders also document this condition as chronic primary musculoskeletal limb pain. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Musculoskeletal pain, not low back pain.
This medical diagnosis code is frequently used in Family Practice, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics medical specialties to designate conditions such pain in limb.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Chronic primary musculoskeletal limb pain
- Chronic primary musculoskeletal pain
- Limb stump pain
- Pain in limb
- Pain in limb - multiple
- Pain in lower limb on elevation
- Stump neuralgia
- Tenderness of limb
- Tenderness of upper limb
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Pain in limb NOS
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.
- Pain(s)
- limb
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
Pain
Pain is a signal in your nervous system that something may be wrong. It is an unpleasant feeling, such as a prick, tingle, sting, burn, or ache. Each person feels pain differently, even if the reason for the pain is the same. Pain may be sharp or dull. It may be mild or severe. Pain may come and go, or it may be constant.
The full article covers:
- What is pain?
- What are the types of pain?
- What causes pain?
- How is pain diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for pain?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert M79.609 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About M79.609Overview
Is M79.609 (Pain in limb, unspecified) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report pain in unspecified limb on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does M79.609 group to?
When pain in unspecified limb is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 555, 556, with relative weights from 0.8306 to 1.3218 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M79.609?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, pain in unspecified limb converts to ICD-9-CM 729.5 (pain in limb). 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.
