Thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders (M51) ICD-10-CM
The M51 code range covers thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders with 46 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 36 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
Codes in the M51 Range 46 codes · 36 billable
- M51 Thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disordersNon-billable
- M51.0 Thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathyNon-billable
- M51.04 Intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, thoracic region
- M51.05 Intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, thoracolumbar region
- M51.06 Intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, lumbar region
- M51.1 Thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathyNon-billable
- M51.14 Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, thoracic region
- M51.15 Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, thoracolumbar region
- M51.16 Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region
- M51.17 Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
- M51.2 Other thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc displacementNon-billable
- M51.24 Other intervertebral disc displacement, thoracic region
- M51.25 Other intervertebral disc displacement, thoracolumbar region
- M51.26 Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region
- M51.27 Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbosacral region
- M51.3 Other thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc degenerationNon-billable
- M51.34 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, thoracic region
- M51.35 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, thoracolumbar region
- M51.36 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar regionNon-billable
- M51.360 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region with discogenic back pain only
- M51.361 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region with lower extremity pain only
- M51.362 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region with discogenic back pain and lower extremity pain
- M51.369 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region without mention of lumbar back pain or lower extremity pain
- M51.37 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral regionNon-billable
- M51.370 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region with discogenic back pain only
- M51.371 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region with lower extremity pain only
- M51.372 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region with discogenic back pain and lower extremity pain
- M51.379 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region without mention of lumbar back pain or lower extremity pain
- M51.4 Schmorl's nodesNon-billable
- M51.44 Schmorl's nodes, thoracic region
- M51.45 Schmorl's nodes, thoracolumbar region
- M51.46 Schmorl's nodes, lumbar region
- M51.47 Schmorl's nodes, lumbosacral region
- M51.8 Other thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disordersNon-billable
- M51.84 Other intervertebral disc disorders, thoracic region
- M51.85 Other intervertebral disc disorders, thoracolumbar region
- M51.86 Other intervertebral disc disorders, lumbar region
- M51.87 Other intervertebral disc disorders, lumbosacral region
- M51.9 Unspecified thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorder
- M51.A Other lumbar and lumbosacral annulus fibrosus disc defectsNon-billable
- M51.A0 Intervertebral annulus fibrosus defect, lumbar region, unspecified size
- M51.A1 Intervertebral annulus fibrosus defect, small, lumbar region
- M51.A2 Intervertebral annulus fibrosus defect, large, lumbar region
- M51.A3 Intervertebral annulus fibrosus defect, lumbosacral region, unspecified size
- M51.A4 Intervertebral annulus fibrosus defect, small, lumbosacral region
- M51.A5 Intervertebral annulus fibrosus defect, large, lumbosacral region
About the M51 Code Range
The ICD-10 code section M51 covers disorders of the intervertebral discs located in the thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral spine regions. These codes categorize various disc problems including herniations, degeneration, and related complications like myelopathy and radiculopathy.
These codes are used specifically to identify conditions such as thoracic disc prolapse with myelopathy (M51.04) and lumbar disc disorders causing radiculopathy, often referred to in common terms like “sciatica” or “lumbago with sciatica” (M51.16, M51.17). The classification also includes the presence of Schmorl's nodes (M51.4x) and annulus fibrosus defects (M51.Ax), which describe structural changes in the discs. By incorporating synonyms such as “disc prolapse,” “herniation of nucleus pulposus,” or “discogenic back pain,” this section aids medical coders in accurately linking clinical diagnoses to the appropriate ICD-10 codes when documenting thoracic and lower spine disc disorders.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the M51 range?
Of the 46 codes in this range, 36 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the M51 range classify?
The range classifies thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
