ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for vertebral joint chondromalacia
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Chondromalacia (systemic) › vertebral joint”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding vertebral joint chondromalacia
The ICD-10-CM code for vertebral joint chondromalacia is M94.28 (Chondromalacia, other site).
Within M94.2, choose M94.28 (other site) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: unspecified site (M94.20), shoulder (M94.21), elbow (M94.22), wrist (M94.23), joints of hand (M94.24), hip (M94.25), knee (M94.26), ankle and joints of foot (M94.27) and 1 more.
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 553 (Bone Diseases and Arthropathies with MCC, relative weight 1.2494) and DRG 554 (Bone Diseases and Arthropathies without MCC, relative weight 0.8331), 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.
Common questions about vertebral joint chondromalacia ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for vertebral joint chondromalacia?
- M94.28 — Chondromalacia, other site.
Is M94.28 billable?
- Yes. M94.28 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can M94.28 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict M94.28 as a principal diagnosis.
Is M94.28 a CC or MCC?
- No. M94.28 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.