ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for spondylopathy
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Spondylopathy”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding spondylopathy
The ICD-10-CM code for spondylopathy is M48.9 (Spondylopathy, unspecified). The official index lists 41 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on M48.9.
Within M48, choose M48.9 (Spondylopathy, unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: spinal stenosis (M48.0), ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier] (M48.1), Kissing spine (M48.2), traumatic spondylopathy (M48.3), fatigue fracture of vertebra (M48.4), Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified (M48.5) and other specified spondylopathies (M48.8).
It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 551 (Medical Back Problems with MCC, relative weight 1.6358) and DRG 552 (Medical Back Problems without MCC, relative weight 0.9584), in MDC 08 (Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
More specific spondylopathy codes (official index)
- infective NEC M46.50 — Other infective spondylopathies, site unspecified
- cervical region M46.52 — Other infective spondylopathies, cervical region
- cervicothoracic region M46.53 — Other infective spondylopathies, cervicothoracic region
- lumbar region M46.56 — Other infective spondylopathies, lumbar region
- lumbosacral region M46.57 — Other infective spondylopathies, lumbosacral region
- multiple sites M46.59 — Other infective spondylopathies, multiple sites in spine
- occipito-atlanto-axial region M46.51 — Other infective spondylopathies, occipito-atlanto-axial region
- sacrococcygeal region M46.58 — Other infective spondylopathies, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
- thoracic region M46.54 — Other infective spondylopathies, thoracic region
- thoracolumbar region M46.55 — Other infective spondylopathies, thoracolumbar region
- inflammatory M46.90 — Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, site unspecified
- cervical region M46.92 — Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, cervical region
- cervicothoracic region M46.93 — Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, cervicothoracic region
- lumbar region M46.96 — Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, lumbar region
- lumbosacral region M46.97 — Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, lumbosacral region
- multiple sites M46.99 — Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, multiple sites in spine
- occipito-atlanto-axial region M46.91 — Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region
- sacrococcygeal region M46.98 — Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
- specified type NEC M46.80 — Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, site unspecified
- cervical region M46.82 — Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, cervical region
- cervicothoracic region M46.83 — Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, cervicothoracic region
- lumbar region M46.86 — Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, lumbar region
- lumbosacral region M46.87 — Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, lumbosacral region
- multiple sites M46.89 — Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, multiple sites in spine
- occipito-atlanto-axial region M46.81 — Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, occipito-atlanto-axial region
- sacrococcygeal region M46.88 — Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
- thoracic region M46.84 — Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, thoracic region
- thoracolumbar region M46.85 — Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies, thoracolumbar region
- thoracic region M46.94 — Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, thoracic region
- thoracolumbar region M46.95 — Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, thoracolumbar region
- neuropathic, in
- syringomyelia and syringobulbia G95.0 — Syringomyelia and syringobulbia
- tabes dorsalis A52.11 — Tabes dorsalis
- specified NEC
- traumatic M48.30 — Traumatic spondylopathy, site unspecified
- cervical region M48.32 — Traumatic spondylopathy, cervical region
- cervicothoracic region M48.33 — Traumatic spondylopathy, cervicothoracic region
- lumbar region M48.36 — Traumatic spondylopathy, lumbar region
- lumbosacral region M48.37 — Traumatic spondylopathy, lumbosacral region
- occipito-atlanto-axial region M48.31 — Traumatic spondylopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region
- sacrococcygeal region M48.38 — Traumatic spondylopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
- thoracic region M48.34 — Traumatic spondylopathy, thoracic region
- thoracolumbar region M48.35 — Traumatic spondylopathy, thoracolumbar region
Common questions about spondylopathy ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for spondylopathy?
- M48.9 — Spondylopathy, unspecified. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: M46.50, M46.52, M46.53, M46.56 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for infective nec spondylopathy?
- M46.50 — Other infective spondylopathies, site unspecified.
What is the ICD-10 code for inflammatory spondylopathy?
- M46.90 — Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, site unspecified.
What is the ICD-10 code for traumatic spondylopathy?
- M48.30 — Traumatic spondylopathy, site unspecified.
Is M48.9 billable?
- Yes. M48.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can M48.9 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict M48.9 as a principal diagnosis.
Is M48.9 a CC or MCC?
- No. M48.9 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.