M54.5 – Low back pain

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Other dorsopathies

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code M54.5

Code: M54.5 (claims format: M545)
Description: Low back pain
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
Parent codes: M54

Billable codes under M54.5

M54.5 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

M54.50 – Low back pain, unspecifiedBillable
M54.51 – Vertebrogenic low back painBillable
M54.59 – Other low back painBillable

Notes for M54.5

Excludes1 (not coded here):

intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region with discogenic back pain only (M51.360)
intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region with discogenic back pain only (M51.370)
low back strain (S39.012)
lumbago due to intervertebral disc displacement (M51.2-)
lumbago with sciatica (M54.4-)

Notes inherited from parent codes

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

M54 – Dorsalgia

Excludes1 (not coded here):

psychogenic dorsalgia (F45.41)

Block M50-M54

Excludes1 (not coded here):

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

Related codes in M54

M54.0 – Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and backHeader
M54.1 – RadiculopathyHeader
M54.2 – CervicalgiaBillable
M54.3 – SciaticaHeader
M54.4 – Lumbago with sciaticaHeader
M54.6 – Pain in thoracic spineBillable
M54.8 – Other dorsalgiaHeader
M54.9 – Dorsalgia, unspecifiedBillable

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code M54.5?

M54.5 is the ICD-10-CM code for low back pain, in the block M50-M54 (Other dorsopathies).

Is M54.5 a billable code?

No. M54.5 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

What category does M54.5 belong to?

It belongs to category M54 – Dorsalgia.

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.