M51 – Thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Other dorsopathies

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code M51

Code: M51 (claims format: M51)
Description: Thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders
Short description: Thoracic, thoracolum, and lumbosacral intvrt disc disorders
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: M50-M54 Other dorsopathies

Billable codes under M51

M51 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

M51.0 – Thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathyHeader (more codes below)
M51.1 – Thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathyHeader (more codes below)
M51.2 – Other thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc displacementHeader (more codes below)
M51.3 – Other thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc degenerationHeader (more codes below)
M51.4 – Schmorl's nodesHeader (more codes below)
M51.8 – Other thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disordersHeader (more codes below)
M51.9 – Unspecified thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorderBillable
M51.A – Other lumbar and lumbosacral annulus fibrosus disc defectsHeader (more codes below)

Notes for M51

Excludes2 (not included here):

cervical and cervicothoracic disc disorders (M50.-)
sacral and sacrococcygeal disorders (M53.3)

Notes inherited from parent codes

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

Block M50-M54

Excludes1 (not coded here):

current injury - see injury of spine by body region
discitis NOS (M46.4-)

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code M51?

M51 is the ICD-10-CM code for thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders, in the block M50-M54 (Other dorsopathies).

Is M51 a billable code?

No. M51 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

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.