M79.A – Nontraumatic compartment syndrome

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Other soft tissue disorders

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code M79.A

Code: M79.A (claims format: M79A)
Description: Nontraumatic compartment syndrome
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: M70-M79 Other soft tissue disorders
Parent codes: M79

Billable codes under M79.A

M79.A is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

M79.A1 – Nontraumatic compartment syndrome of upper extremityHeader (more codes below)
M79.A2 – Nontraumatic compartment syndrome of lower extremityHeader (more codes below)
M79.A3 – Nontraumatic compartment syndrome of abdomenBillable
M79.A9 – Nontraumatic compartment syndrome of other sitesBillable

Notes for M79.A

Excludes1 (not coded here):

compartment syndrome NOS (T79.A-)
fibromyalgia (M79.7)
nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle (M62.2-)
traumatic compartment syndrome (T79.A-)

Code first:

, if applicable, associated postprocedural complication

Notes inherited from parent codes

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

M79 – Other and unspecified soft tissue disorders, not elsewhere classified

Excludes1 (not coded here):

psychogenic rheumatism (F45.8)
soft tissue pain, psychogenic (F45.41)

Related codes in M79

M79.0 – Rheumatism, unspecifiedBillable
M79.1 – MyalgiaHeader
M79.2 – Neuralgia and neuritis, unspecifiedBillable
M79.3 – Panniculitis, unspecifiedBillable
M79.4 – Hypertrophy of (infrapatellar) fat padBillable
M79.5 – Residual foreign body in soft tissueBillable
M79.6 – Pain in limb, hand, foot, fingers and toesHeader
M79.7 – FibromyalgiaBillable
M79.8 – Other specified soft tissue disordersHeader
M79.9 – Soft tissue disorder, unspecifiedBillable

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code M79.A?

M79.A is the ICD-10-CM code for nontraumatic compartment syndrome, in the block M70-M79 (Other soft tissue disorders).

Is M79.A a billable code?

No. M79.A is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

What category does M79.A belong to?

It belongs to category M79 – Other and unspecified soft tissue disorders, 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.