M25.56 – Pain in knee

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Other joint disorders

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code M25.56

Code: M25.56 (claims format: M2556)
Description: Pain in knee
Billable: No – use a more specific code below
Valid for: Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
Chapter: 13. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)
Block: M20-M25 Other joint disorders
Parent codes: M25 › M25.5

Billable codes under M25.56

M25.56 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

M25.561 – Pain in right kneeBillable
M25.562 – Pain in left kneeBillable
M25.569 – Pain in unspecified kneeBillable

Notes inherited from parent codes

Instructional notes at a category or block level apply to every code below it.

M25 – Other joint disorder, not elsewhere classified

Excludes2 (not included here):

abnormality of gait and mobility (R26.-)
acquired deformities of limb (M20-M21)
calcification of bursa (M71.4-)
calcification of shoulder (joint) (M75.3)
calcification of tendon (M65.2-)
difficulty in walking (R26.2)
temporomandibular joint disorder (M26.6-)

M25.5 – Pain in joint

Excludes2 (not included here):

pain in hand (M79.64-)
pain in fingers (M79.64-)
pain in foot (M79.67-)
pain in limb (M79.6-)
pain in toes (M79.67-)

Block M20-M25

Excludes2 (not included here):

joints of the spine (M40-M54)

Index terms for M25.56

Entries in the ICD-10-CM alphabetic index that lead to this code:

Pain, joint, knee

Related codes in M25.5

M25.50 – Pain in unspecified jointBillable
M25.51 – Pain in shoulderHeader
M25.52 – Pain in elbowHeader
M25.53 – Pain in wristHeader
M25.54 – Pain in joints of handHeader
M25.55 – Pain in hipHeader
M25.57 – Pain in ankle and joints of footHeader
M25.59 – Pain in other specified jointBillable

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code M25.56?

M25.56 is the ICD-10-CM code for pain in knee, in the block M20-M25 (Other joint disorders).

Is M25.56 a billable code?

No. M25.56 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

What category does M25.56 belong to?

It belongs to category M25 – Other joint disorder, not elsewhere classified.

Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code files, tabular list and index. Reference only – code assignment must follow the official ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation in the medical record.