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  2. ICD-10-CM Codes List
  3. M00–M99
  4. M50-M54
  5. Dorsalgia (M54)

Dorsalgia (M54)

ICD-10 code M54 and its subcodes are used to classify various types of dorsalgia, which refers to pain located in the back and neck regions. These codes help specify the exact site and nature of the pain, such as general back pain, radiculopathy (nerve root pain), cervicalgia (neck pain), sciatica, and more specific conditions like panniculitis affecting the neck and back.

The ICD-10 code for dorsalgia covers a range of conditions including M54.2 for cervicalgia (neck pain, also called cervical radiculopathy), M54.3 and M54.4 for sciatica and lumbago with sciatica (pain radiating along the sciatic nerve), and M54.5 for low back pain. Radiculopathy codes (M54.1 series) identify nerve root involvement in regions from the cervical to sacral spine. Codes like M54.0 detail panniculitis affecting the neck and back, a less common cause of dorsalgia. Using synonyms such as "cervical radiculitis," "sciatica," or "vertebrogenic low back pain" helps medical coders quickly match clinical terms to their correct code, improving accuracy in diagnosis and treatment documentation. This organized coding supports clear communication among healthcare providers regarding the source and location of back or neck pain.

  • Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00–M99)

    • Other dorsopathies (M50-M54)

        • Dorsalgia (M54)

        • M54 Dorsalgia
        • M54.0 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back
        • M54.00 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, site unspecified
        • M54.01 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, occipito-atlanto-axial region
        • M54.02 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, cervical region
        • M54.03 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, cervicothoracic region
        • M54.04 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, thoracic region
        • M54.05 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, thoracolumbar region
        • M54.06 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, lumbar region
        • M54.07 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, lumbosacral region
        • M54.08 Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
        • M54.09 Panniculitis affecting regions, neck and back, multiple sites in spine
        • M54.1 Radiculopathy
        • M54.10 Radiculopathy, site unspecified
        • M54.11 Radiculopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region
        • M54.12 Radiculopathy, cervical region
        • M54.13 Radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region
        • M54.14 Radiculopathy, thoracic region
        • M54.15 Radiculopathy, thoracolumbar region
        • M54.16 Radiculopathy, lumbar region
        • M54.17 Radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
        • M54.18 Radiculopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
        • M54.2 Cervicalgia
        • M54.3 Sciatica
        • M54.30 Sciatica, unspecified side
        • M54.31 Sciatica, right side
        • M54.32 Sciatica, left side
        • M54.4 Lumbago with sciatica
        • M54.40 Lumbago with sciatica, unspecified side
        • M54.41 Lumbago with sciatica, right side
        • M54.42 Lumbago with sciatica, left side
        • M54.5 Low back pain
        • M54.50 Low back pain, unspecified
        • M54.51 Vertebrogenic low back pain
        • M54.59 Other low back pain
        • M54.6 Pain in thoracic spine
        • M54.8 Other dorsalgia
        • M54.81 Occipital neuralgia
        • M54.89 Other dorsalgia
        • M54.9 Dorsalgia, unspecified

Instructional Notations

Type 1 Excludes

A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.

  • psychogenic dorsalgia F45.41

Clinical Terms

The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.

Low Back Pain

Acute or chronic pain in the lumbar or sacral regions, which may be associated with musculo-ligamentous SPRAINS AND STRAINS; INTERVERTEBRAL DISK DISPLACEMENT; and other conditions.

Neck Pain

Discomfort or more intense forms of pain that are localized to the cervical region. This term generally refers to pain in the posterior or lateral regions of the neck.

Radiculopathy

Disease involving a spinal nerve root (see SPINAL NERVE ROOTS) which may result from compression related to INTERVERTEBRAL DISK DISPLACEMENT; SPINAL CORD INJURIES; SPINAL DISEASES; and other conditions. Clinical manifestations include radicular pain, weakness, and sensory loss referable to structures innervated by the involved nerve root.

Sciatica

A condition characterized by pain radiating from the back into the buttock and posterior/lateral aspects of the leg. Sciatica may be a manifestation of SCIATIC NEUROPATHY; RADICULOPATHY (involving the SPINAL NERVE ROOTS; L4, L5, S1, or S2, often associated with INTERVERTEBRAL DISK DISPLACEMENT); or lesions of the CAUDA EQUINA.