M48.46 ICD-10 Code: Fatigue Fracture of Vertebra, Lumbar Region (2027)

Code: M48.46 (claims format: M4846)
Description: Fatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbar region
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 › M48.4

Billable codes under M48.46

M48.46 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

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

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

Applicable to:

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:

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

M48.46 is the ICD-10-CM code for fatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbar region, in the block M45-M49 (Spondylopathies).

No. M48.46 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

It belongs to category M48 – Other spondylopathies.