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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code M46.4

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M46.4

Discitis, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Code:
M46.4
ICD-10 Code for:
Discitis, unspecified
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
    (M00–M99)
    • Spondylopathies
      (M45-M49)
      • Other inflammatory spondylopathies
        (M46)

M46.4 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of discitis, unspecified. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like M46.4 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Specific Coding Applicable to Discitis, unspecified

Non-specific codes like M46.4 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for discitis, unspecified:

  • Use M46.40 for Discitis, unspecified, site unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.41 for Discitis, unspecified, occipito-atlanto-axial region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.42 for Discitis, unspecified, cervical region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.43 for Discitis, unspecified, cervicothoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.44 for Discitis, unspecified, thoracic region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.45 for Discitis, unspecified, thoracolumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.46 for Discitis, unspecified, lumbar region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.47 for Discitis, unspecified, lumbosacral region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.48 for Discitis, unspecified, sacral and sacrococcygeal region - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M46.49 for Discitis, unspecified, multiple sites in spine - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Discitis

    inflammation of an intervertebral disc or disk space which may lead to disk erosion. until recently, discitis has been defined as a nonbacterial inflammation and has been attributed to aseptic processes (e.g., chemical reaction to an injected substance). however, recent studies provide evidence that infection may be the initial cause, but perhaps not the promoter, of most cases of discitis. discitis has been diagnosed in patients following discography, myelography, lumbar puncture, paravertebral injection, and obstetrical epidural anesthesia. discitis following chemonucleolysis (especially with chymopapain) is attributed to chemical reaction by some and to introduction of microorganisms by others.

  • Intervertebral Disc

    any of the 23 plates of fibrocartilage found between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae.

Patient Education


Spine Injuries and Disorders

Your backbone, or spine, is made up of 26 bone discs called vertebrae. The vertebrae protect your spinal cord and allow you to stand and bend. A number of problems can change the structure of the spine or damage the vertebrae and surrounding tissue. They include:

  • Infections
  • Injuries
  • Tumors
  • Conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis and scoliosis
  • Bone changes that come with age, such as spinal stenosis and herniated disks

Spinal diseases often cause pain when bone changes put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. They can also limit movement. Treatments differ by disease, but sometimes they include back braces and surgery.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.