ICD-10 code M51.36 for Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Dorsopathies . Subscribe to Codify and get the code details in a flash. Excludes2: cervical and cervicothoracic disc disorders ( M50 .-)
Degeneration of intervertebral disc of lower back; Degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc; Degenerative disc disease, lower back; Lumbar disc degeneration ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M46.36 [convert to ICD-9-CM] Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), lumbar region
M51 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M51. Thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders 2016 2017 2018 2019 Non-Billable/Non-Specific Code. Type 2 Excludes cervical and cervicothoracic disc disorders (M50.-) sacral and sacrococcygeal disorders (M53.3) Thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders.
cervical and cervicothoracic disc disorders ( M50.-) Reimbursement claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015 require the use of ICD-10-CM codes.
Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region M51. 36 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM M51. 36 became effective on October 1, 2021.
M51. 16 - Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region | ICD-10-CM.
Discs often degenerate with age causing vertebrae to sit closer together. This is part of the reason we shrink with age. Degenerative discs can lead to pain via multiple pathways. Spinal stenosis is another condition of the spine where the central canal diameter is reduced much like a pipe that becomes clogged.
According to Coding Clinic: “Assign code M16. 0—Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of hip for degenerative changes of hips”. Coding Clinic's rationale is, “ICD-10- CM's Alphabetic Index under “Degeneration, joint disease” instructs “see Osteoarthritis.”
M51. 26 Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
36 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region.
Degenerative disc disease (spondylosis) can occur in any area of the spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar), but is most common in the low back. It's not actually a disease, but rather a condition in which your discs “degenerate” and lose their flexibility and height to cushion the spine.
The L4-L5 disc is at a high risk of degeneration. This risk may be due to increased loads at the L4-L5 motion segment and decreased movement in the segments below this level. A change in disc height due to degeneration may affect the lordosis of the lumbar spine.
However, degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis are different conditions and can occur separately: one can have degenerative discs without any facet osteoarthritis; or one can have facet osteoarthritis without degenerative discs.
How is degenerative disc disease diagnosed? A diagnosis is based on a medical history and a physical examination, as well as the symptoms and the circumstances where the pain started. Magnetic resonance imaging can show damage to discs, but it alone cannot confirm degenerative disc disease.
722.4 is the correct code for degenerative disease of the cervical intervertebral disc. 722.51 is the correct diagnosis code for thoracic degenerative disc disease. 722.52 is the accurate diagnosis code for DDD of the lumbar or lumbosacral intervertebral disc.
ICD-10 code: G31. 9 Degenerative disease of nervous system, unspecified.
Discitis, unspecified, lumbar region 1 M46.46 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. 2 The 2021 edition of ICD-10-CM M46.46 became effective on October 1, 2020. 3 This is the American ICD-10-CM version of M46.46 - other international versions of ICD-10 M46.46 may differ.
The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM M46.46 became effective on October 1, 2021.
Only use the fourth character “9” for unspecified disc disorders if the documentation does not indicate anything more than the presence of a disc problem. But beware, payors are expected to ask for clarification if unspecified or “NOS” codes are used.
Though it is not specifically mentioned, “thoracolumbar” likely only includes T12-L1, and “lumbosacral” probably only refers to the L5-S1 interspace. There is a strange rule for cervical disc disorders indicating that you should code to the most superior level of the disorder.
9 = unspecified disc disorder. The fifth character provides detail about the anatomical location within the spinal region. A basic knowledge of spinal anatomy should make fifth-character selection easy, but only if it is documented properly. This includes transitionary regions.
These spinal disc codes appear to be a bit complex, but with some study and evaluation, the logic used to create them becomes clear. The provider can use the codes to guide proper documentation and the coder then can select the right codes with confidence.
It is already included in the code. Likewise, don’t code sciatica (M54.3-) if you code for lumbar disc with radiculopathy. It would be redundant. On a side note, lumbar radiculopathy (M54.16) might be used if pain is not yet known to be due a disc, but it radiates from the lumbar spine.