M48.4 – Fatigue fracture of vertebra

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Spondylopathies

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code M48.4

Code: M48.4 (claims format: M484)
Description: Fatigue fracture of vertebra
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: M45-M49 Spondylopathies
Parent codes: M48

Billable codes under M48.4

M48.4 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

M48.40 – Fatigue fracture of vertebra, site unspecifiedHeader (more codes below)
M48.41 – Fatigue fracture of vertebra, occipito-atlanto-axial regionHeader (more codes below)
M48.42 – Fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervical regionHeader (more codes below)
M48.43 – Fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervicothoracic regionHeader (more codes below)
M48.44 – Fatigue fracture of vertebra, thoracic regionHeader (more codes below)
M48.45 – Fatigue fracture of vertebra, thoracolumbar regionHeader (more codes below)
M48.46 – Fatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbar regionHeader (more codes below)
M48.47 – Fatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbosacral regionHeader (more codes below)
M48.48 – Fatigue fracture of vertebra, sacral and sacrococcygeal regionHeader (more codes below)

7th character values

Codes in this category need a 7th character to describe the encounter or episode of care (use placeholder X for empty positions).

Character	Meaning
`A`	initial encounter for fracture
`D`	subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
`G`	subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
`S`	sequela of fracture

Notes for M48.4

Applicable to:

Stress fracture of vertebra

Excludes1 (not coded here):

pathological fracture NOS (M84.4-)
pathological fracture of vertebra due to neoplasm (M84.58)
pathological fracture of vertebra due to other diagnosis (M84.68)
pathological fracture of vertebra due to osteoporosis (M80.-)
traumatic fracture of vertebrae (S12.0-S12.3-, S22.0-, S32.0-)

7th character note:

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from subcategory M48.4:

Related codes in M48

M48.0 – Spinal stenosisHeader
M48.1 – Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier]Header
M48.2 – Kissing spineHeader
M48.3 – Traumatic spondylopathyHeader
M48.5 – Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classifiedHeader
M48.8 – Other specified spondylopathiesHeader
M48.9 – Spondylopathy, unspecifiedBillable

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code M48.4?

M48.4 is the ICD-10-CM code for fatigue fracture of vertebra, in the block M45-M49 (Spondylopathies).

Is M48.4 a billable code?

No. M48.4 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

What category does M48.4 belong to?

It belongs to category M48 – Other spondylopathies.

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.