2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M94.279Chondromalacia, unspecified ankle and joints of foot

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M91-M94›M94

ICD-10-CM M94.279
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M94.279 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for chondromalacia, unspecified ankle and joints of foot. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 553 through 554. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified bone disease and musculoskeletal deformities.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M94.279
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Chondromalacia, unspecified ankle and joints of foot
Short Description
Chondromalacia, unspecified ankle and joints of foot
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M94.27
Chondromalacia, ankle and joints of foot

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM91-M94Chondropathies
CategoryM94Other disorders of cartilage
This CodeM94.279Chondromalacia, unspecified ankle and joints of foot

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR MUS028
Other specified bone disease and musculoskeletal deformities
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Cartilage Disorders

Cartilage is the tough but flexible tissue that covers the ends of your bones at a joint. It also gives shape and support to other parts of your body, such as your ears, nose and windpipe. Healthy cartilage helps you move by allowing your bones to glide over each other.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert M94.279 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
733.92 Chondromalacia
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 M94.279Overview

Is M94.279 (Chondromalacia, ankle and joints of foot) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report chondromalacia, unspecified ankle and joints of foot on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does M94.279 group to?

When chondromalacia, unspecified ankle and joints of foot is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 553, 554, with relative weights from 0.8301 to 1.2963 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M94.279?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, chondromalacia, unspecified ankle and joints of foot converts to ICD-9-CM 733.92 (chondromalacia). 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.