Last Updated: January 2026 | Verified for 2026 ICD-10-CM, CMS, and Official Coding Guidelines
et back pain coding remains one of the highest-error areas in medical billing — largely because the ICD-10-CM restructuring that took effect in FY2021 retired dozens of old codes (including the ubiquitous M54.5) and replaced them with far more granular options that many practices have still not fully adopted.
This guide covers every clinically relevant back pain ICD-10-CM code for 2026, including cervical, thoracic, lumbar, lumbosacral, and sacral regions. It details laterality requirements, the “code first” hierarchy, documentation must-haves, common coding errors, and payer-specific nuances — with verified references to official CMS and CDC sources throughout.
The single most important update in back pain coding history occurred on October 1, 2020 (effective FY2021), when CMS and the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) retired the frequently used code M54.5 (Low back pain) and replaced it with a family of more specific codes. Prior to this change, coders and clinicians alike defaulted to M54.5 for virtually any non-specific lumbar complaint. Beginning FY2021, that code became invalid and claims submitted with it are rejected .
⚠ Critical Billing Alert: Claims submitted with M54.5 (the old, undifferentiated low back pain code) on or after October 1, 2020 will be rejected by all payers using ICD-10-CM. You must use M54.50, M54.51, or M54.59. This affects every specialty — primary care, orthopedics, pain management, physical therapy, chiropractic, and more.
The FY2021 restructuring also expanded disc disorder codes, refined spondylosis options, and added new laterality requirements throughout the M40–M54 musculoskeletal chapter. FY2022 and FY2025 updates brought additional refinements to sacral and sacrococcygeal codes. Here is a summary of the key retired and replacement codes:
| Retired Code (Pre-FY2021) | Description | Replacement Code(s) — 2026 Valid |
|---|---|---|
| M54.5 ❌ | Low back pain (generic) | M54.50, M54.51, M54.59 |
| M54.16 ❌ (pre-2021 radiculopathy) | Radiculopathy, lumbar region | M54.16 (retained but now requires specificity per guidelines) |
| M54.17 ❌ | Radiculopathy, lumbosacral region | M54.17 (retained; now coordinate with etiology code) |
| M51.16 (prior version) | Intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar | M51.16 (refined definition — now disc degeneration with myelopathy) |
These three codes are the direct successors to the retired M54.5 and represent the most commonly used back pain codes in outpatient, emergency, and urgent care settings. They apply when the clinical assessment does not identify a specific structural or pathological etiology (e.g., the imaging is negative or has not yet been performed). When an etiology is confirmed, see the “Code First” hierarchy in Section 10 .
Use when: The documentation notes low back pain but does not specify whether the pain is vertebrogenic, discogenic, muscular, or otherwise. This is appropriate for first-visit presentations where imaging has not yet been obtained and the provider has not characterized the pain type.
Common clinical scenarios: Acute low back pain after heavy lifting with no imaging ordered yet; low back pain documented as “LBP” in a progress note without further qualifier; emergency department visit for back pain with unremarkable workup and no identified structural cause.
Do NOT use when: A confirmed structural diagnosis exists (herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis). In those cases, code the structural condition directly.
Definition: Low back pain arising from the vertebral column itself — specifically from pathological changes in the vertebral endplates, facet joints, or vertebral bodies — in the absence of disc herniation or radiculopathy. This code was introduced to capture axial back pain with a confirmed vertebral origin, such as that seen in Modic changes on MRI or confirmed facet-mediated pain .
Clinical documentation requirement: The provider must specifically document that the pain is “vertebrogenic” or attribute it to a vertebral source (e.g., “facet arthropathy causing axial LBP,” “Modic type II endplate changes producing low back pain”). This is not simply an upgrade from M54.50; the provider must make the clinical determination.
Common clinical scenarios: Pain management specialist documenting facet joint syndrome as the etiology; physiatrist noting vertebral endplate pathology as the confirmed pain generator; post-diagnostic injection confirming facet-mediated pain.
Use when: The low back pain has been characterized but does not fit “vertebrogenic” (M54.51) or “unspecified” (M54.50). This includes muscular low back pain, ligamentous low back pain, and functional low back pain when the provider has identified the type but the condition is not covered by a more specific structural code. Examples: Muscle strain of the low back in a patient with confirmed negative imaging (“paraspinal muscle strain, lumbar”); ligament sprain; sacroiliac joint pain without a more specific sacroiliac code; myofascial low back pain.
Coding Tip — Choosing Between M54.50, M54.51, and M54.59: Think of it as a three-way decision tree. First ask: Is there a confirmed structural etiology? If yes → use the structural code (M51.x, M47.x, M48.x, etc.). If no → is the pain specifically vertebrogenic (vertebral column origin confirmed)? If yes → M54.51. Has the provider characterized the type of pain (muscular, ligamentous, etc.)? If yes → M54.59. None of the above → M54.50.
Sciatica refers to pain radiating along the distribution of the sciatic nerve — typically from the lower back through the buttock, posterior thigh, and into the leg. ICD-10-CM distinguishes between pure sciatica (nerve pain without documented LBP component) and lumbago with sciatica (combined low back pain and radiating leg pain).
Use only when: The provider documents sciatica but does not specify whether it is right-sided or left-sided. This should be an uncommon choice in documentation — laterality is a required element whenever clinically determinable. Use of M54.30 may trigger payer queries for additional specificity.
These codes represent isolated sciatic nerve pain (radiating leg pain) without an associated low back pain component documented in the same encounter. Use when the patient presents primarily with leg pain in a sciatic distribution and the provider does not document co-existing LBP.
Do NOT combine M54.31/M54.32 with M54.4x on the same claim — lumbago with sciatica codes (M54.41/M54.42) already capture both components. Reporting both is a duplication error .
Like M54.30, avoid when laterality can be determined. Reserved for bilateral presentation (though even then, some payers expect M54.41 + M54.42 or a bilateral notation).
Most commonly used sciatica codes in clinical practice. Use when the provider documents both low back pain and sciatic radiation into a specific leg. The laterality refers to the side of the radiating leg pain, not the side of the low back pain (which is typically midline or bilateral in the lumbar spine).
Important distinction from M51.1x: M54.41/M54.42 are symptom codes used when the etiology of the sciatica has not been confirmed or when no specific disc level has been identified. When an MRI confirms a herniated disc at a specific level causing nerve root compression, upgrade to M51.16 or M51.17 (disc disorder with radiculopathy) as the primary code .
| Code | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| M54.30 | Sciatica, unspecified side | Only when laterality truly unknown (rare) |
| M54.31 | Sciatica, right side | Right leg radiculopathy, no LBP documented |
| M54.32 | Sciatica, left side | Left leg radiculopathy, no LBP documented |
| M54.40 | Lumbago with sciatica, unspecified side | Both LBP and sciatica, laterality unknown |
| M54.41 | Lumbago with sciatica, right side | LBP + right-sided sciatic radiation, no confirmed disc etiology |
| M54.42 | Lumbago with sciatica, left side | LBP + left-sided sciatic radiation, no confirmed disc etiology |
When imaging (MRI, CT myelogram) confirms a disc pathology as the etiology of back pain and/or radiculopathy, the appropriate code comes from the M51 category (Thoracic, thoracolumbar, lumbar, lumbosacral, sacral, and sacrococcygeal disc disorders). These are etiology codes, not symptom codes.
Use for: Confirmed disc degeneration (including desiccation, disc space narrowing, loss of disc height) at lumbar levels (L1–L5) with associated radiculopathy or neurological deficit. MRI report must support the disc degeneration finding . Note on “myelopathy” vs. “radiculopathy”: Lumbar disc disorders rarely produce myelopathy (which requires cervical or thoracic cord involvement). At the lumbar level, neural involvement is cauda equina or nerve root compression — this is radiculopathy, not myelopathy. Review the ICD-10 index carefully; coding advisors sometimes confuse M51.16 (degeneration) with M51.06 (degeneration of disc with myelopathy, lumbar — rare).
Same as M51.16 but for the lumbosacral junction (L5–S1). This is anatomically the most common level for disc herniation and is the code most often appropriate for L5–S1 disc pathology causing radiculopathy.
Used when the degenerative disc disease is documented without a specific radiculopathy or myelopathy component — i.e., the degenerative changes are present and are the cause of back pain, but no nerve compression is documented. This is appropriate for DDD (degenerative disc disease) as a primary diagnosis with axial back pain.
M51.06 (lumbar, with myelopathy) and M51.07 (lumbosacral, with myelopathy) are used extremely rarely, as true spinal cord compression cannot occur at lumbar levels below the conus medullaris (typically L1–L2). Below L2, neural structures are cauda equina nerve roots, not the spinal cord. Use only if the provider explicitly documents myelopathy and anatomy confirms cord involvement is possible (e.g., very high lumbar pathology with low conus position) .
Captures disc conditions not elsewhere classified — such as vacuum phenomenon, posterior disc bulge without radiculopathy, or mild internal disc disruption at lumbar (M51.86) or lumbosacral (M51.87) levels.
| Code | Description | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| M51.06 | Lumbar disc disorder with myelopathy | Provider documents myelopathy; rare at lumbar levels |
| M51.07 | Lumbosacral disc disorder with myelopathy | Same — requires explicit myelopathy documentation |
| M51.16 | Disc degeneration with radiculopathy, lumbar | MRI confirmation + radiculopathy documented |
| M51.17 | Disc degeneration with radiculopathy, lumbosacral | MRI confirmation + L5-S1 level involvement |
| M51.36 | DDD without radiculopathy, lumbar | Degenerative changes confirmed; no nerve symptoms |
| M51.37 | DDD without radiculopathy, lumbosacral | L5-S1 DDD, axial pain only |
| M51.86 | Other disc derangement, lumbar | Bulge, vacuum disc, internal disruption without specific DDD |
| M51.87 | Other disc derangement, lumbosacral | Same, at L5-S1 level |
Spinal stenosis refers to narrowing of the spinal canal, lateral recess, or neural foramen, resulting in compression of neural elements. At lumbar levels, the clinical hallmark is neurogenic claudication — leg pain, heaviness, or weakness that worsens with walking and is relieved by bending forward or sitting.
Primary use: Confirmed lumbar spinal stenosis (by MRI or CT myelogram) causing symptoms including neurogenic claudication, bilateral leg pain, or lower extremity weakness. This is the correct primary code when stenosis is the documented etiology — do not report M54.50 alongside M48.06 as an additional code for the same complaint, as the back pain is integral to the stenosis diagnosis .
Common additional codes: M47.816 (spondylosis) or M51.36 (DDD) are often appropriate secondary codes when these conditions co-exist with and contribute to the stenosis.
Used when stenosis is specifically at or involves the L5-S1 (lumbosacral) level. Some patients will have multi-level stenosis requiring both M48.06 and M48.07.
FY2023 update: New 6th-character options were added to specify with neurogenic claudication (M48.061 lumbar, M48.062 lumbosacral) vs. without neurogenic claudication (M48.06, M48.07 without 6th character). When the provider documents neurogenic claudication as a feature of the stenosis, use the more specific M48.061 or M48.062 — these carry higher relative weight and better support medical necessity for interventional procedures .
⚠ Payer Alert — Neurogenic Claudication Specificity: Medicare Advantage plans and major commercial payers increasingly require M48.061 or M48.062 (not M48.06/M48.07 alone) to approve epidural steroid injections and spinal decompression procedures. Always upgrade to the neurogenic claudication-specific code when documented.
Spondylosis refers to degenerative osteoarthritic changes of the spine — including facet joint degeneration, osteophyte formation, and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. When these changes produce nerve root compression, the appropriate codes are from the M47.81x series.
Use when: Imaging confirms osteoarthritic/degenerative spondylotic changes at the lumbar spine (L1–L5) that are the documented cause of radicular symptoms (leg pain, numbness, weakness in a dermatomal pattern). This differs from M51.16 in that M47.816 implies the primary pathology is bony/arthritic rather than discogenic.
Same as M47.816 for the L5-S1 level. Often coded together with M47.816 in multi-level disease.
| Feature | M47.816 (Spondylosis) | M51.16 (Disc Disorder) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Pathology | Bony degenerative changes, osteophytes, facet arthritis | Disc degeneration, herniation, loss of disc height |
| MRI Finding | End-plate osteophytes, facet hypertrophy, foraminal stenosis from bone | Disc bulge/herniation, disc desiccation, annular tear |
| Can Co-exist? | Yes — both can be reported when MRI documents both bony and discogenic contributions |
M47.816 / M47.817 — Spondylosis with radiculopathy (confirmed nerve compression).
M47.896 / M47.897 — Other spondylosis, lumbar/lumbosacral region (degenerative changes present but no radiculopathy or myelopathy documented). Use M47.896 when the patient has radiographic spondylosis with only axial back pain.
Spondylolisthesis is the anterior slippage of one vertebral body relative to the one below, most commonly at L4-L5 or L5-S1. ICD-10-CM uses M43.1x for spondylolisthesis (not to be confused with M43.0x for spondylolysis — the pars interarticularis defect that often precedes slippage).
Use for: Documented anterior vertebral body translation at L1-L5. Grade (I–IV) is not captured in the ICD-10 code but should be documented in the clinical note for surgical planning and payer review.
Use for: Spondylolisthesis at L5-S1. This is the most common level clinically.
M43.06 (lumbar) and M43.07 (lumbosacral) capture isolated pars defects without listhesis. In athletes or young adults with pars fractures without forward slip, use these codes rather than M43.16/M43.17.
Avoid when location is documented; use only if no spinal level is specified in the record.
While lumbar pain is most common, ICD-10-CM contains equally granular coding for the cervical and thoracic spine.
The standard code for non-specific neck pain without radiculopathy. Used for axial cervical pain without confirmed structural etiology. For cervical radiculopathy, use M54.12 (radiculopathy, cervical region) or the appropriate M50.x disc code when disc pathology is confirmed.
Used for mid-back pain at thoracic levels (T1–T12). This code has not undergone the same granular expansion as lumbar codes, making it appropriate for thoracic pain that lacks a confirmed structural etiology. For thoracic disc disease, use M51.14 (disc degeneration with radiculopathy, thoracic) or M51.34 (DDD without radiculopathy, thoracic).
M50.12 (cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy, mid-cervical region) and M50.13 (cervicothoracic region) are the most common cervical disc codes. M50.30 and related codes cover cervical disc degeneration by region (C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7).
Used for cervical nerve root compression causing arm pain, numbness, or weakness when imaging has not yet confirmed the disc etiology or when multiple contributing factors make a single disc code inappropriate.
| Region | Non-Specific Pain Code | Disc with Radiculopathy | Stenosis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cervical | M54.2 (Cervicalgia) | M50.12 / M50.13 | M48.02 |
| Thoracic | M54.6 (Thoracic spine pain) | M51.14 / M51.15 | M48.04 |
| Lumbar | M54.50 / M54.51 / M54.59 | M51.16 / M51.17 | M48.06 / M48.07 |
When back pain arises from a documented injury or trauma, ICD-10-CM requires S-codes (injury codes) rather than M-codes. S-codes require three components: the injury type, the anatomic site, and the 7th character encounter qualifier (A = initial encounter; D = subsequent encounter; S = sequela).
S39.012A — Strain of muscle, fascia and tendon of lower back, initial encounter. Used for acute muscular/soft tissue low back strain (e.g., from lifting injury). Change to S39.012D for follow-up visits and S39.012S for chronic sequelae.
S33.5xxA — Sprain of ligaments of lumbar spine, initial encounter. For documented ligamentous injury at the lumbar level. S22.x — Fracture of thoracic vertebra. Requires specificity for level (S22.000A through S22.089A) and type (compression, burst, etc.). S32.x — Fracture of lumbar vertebra. S32.000A through S32.059A for lumbar vertebral fractures by level; S32.1xxA for sacral fractures.
7th Character Reminder — Fracture Codes: For fracture S-codes, the 7th character additionally distinguishes A (initial, closed), B (initial, open), D (subsequent, routine healing), G (subsequent, delayed healing), K (subsequent, nonunion), and S (sequela). Submitting the wrong 7th character for fractures is one of the most common error types identified in CMS RAC audits .
For vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis, use M80.08xA (age-related osteoporosis with current pathological fracture, vertebra[e], initial encounter) rather than S-codes. These fractures are pathological in origin, not traumatic, and require M-codes. Combine with Z87.310 (personal history of osteoporosis) if relevant.
The ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines establish a clear rule: when the etiology of a symptom is known and coded, the etiology code is sequenced first and the symptom code (e.g., M54.50) is either omitted (if integral to the condition) or listed as an additional code only if it provides independent clinical information .
Back pain codes that are symptoms (sequence after etiology): M54.50, M54.51, M54.59, M54.30–M54.42. Etiology codes that subsume the pain (do not add M54.5x): M48.06 (spinal stenosis — back pain is integral), M47.816 (spondylosis with radiculopathy — radicular pain is integral), M51.16 (disc degeneration with radiculopathy — integral).
When dual coding IS appropriate: A patient with M48.06 (spinal stenosis) who also has separately documented axial low back pain that is clinically distinct from their neurogenic claudication symptoms may have M54.50 as an additional code — but only if the provider has documented it as a distinct and separate complaint.
| Clinical Situation | Correct Primary Code | Add M54.5x? |
|---|---|---|
| LBP, no imaging, no confirmed etiology | M54.50 (unspecified LBP) | N/A — M54.50 IS the primary code |
| L4-L5 disc herniation confirmed on MRI causing right leg pain | M51.16 (disc degeneration, lumbar) | No — pain is integral |
| Lumbar spinal stenosis causing neurogenic claudication | M48.061 (stenosis with neurogenic claudication, lumbar) | Generally no |
| Spondylolisthesis L5-S1 with back pain | M43.17 (spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral) | No — back pain integral |
| Vertebral compression fracture due to osteoporosis | M80.08xA (osteoporotic fracture, initial) | No |
| LBP due to confirmed facet joint arthropathy | M54.51 (vertebrogenic LBP) | N/A — M54.51 captures this |
ICD-10-CM requires laterality whenever the condition is unilateral and laterality is determinable. For back pain, the most common laterality-specific codes are in the M54.3x and M54.4x families (sciatica). The following are the most frequent laterality-related errors:
Error 1: Reporting M54.30 (sciatica, unspecified side) or M54.40 (lumbago with sciatica, unspecified side) when the provider clearly documents right or left leg pain in the note. Auditors flag this as undercoding and it may suggest a documentation-to-code mismatch during record review.
Error 2: Reporting both M54.41 and M54.31 for the same patient at the same encounter. M54.41 already includes the sciatic component; adding M54.31 is redundant.
Error 3: Using bilateral codes without payer pre-approval. For conditions like bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, some payers require M54.41 + M54.42 (reporting both separately) rather than an “unspecified side” code.
Error 4: Applying M51.16 (lumbar disc) without specifying the clinical level in the note. While ICD-10 does not differentiate L1-L2 vs. L4-L5 for this particular code, the clinical documentation must identify the level for procedure coding (e.g., epidural injections require level-specific documentation for separate CPT billing) .
Payers — including Medicare, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna — audit back pain claims heavily because they are high-volume and frequently associated with downstream procedures (ESIs, surgery).
The following documentation standards protect against claim denial and medical necessity challenges:
For M54.50/M54.51/M54.59 (Non-specific LBP): Document the duration, character, and severity of pain (e.g., “constant, 7/10 axial LBP for 3 weeks, non-radiating, worsened by prolonged sitting”). For M54.51 specifically, the note must explicitly attribute pain to a vertebral source.
For M54.41/M54.42 (Lumbago with Sciatica): Document the dermatomal distribution of the radiating pain, neurological exam findings (SLR, reflexes, motor strength), and side of involvement. “Right-sided LBP with radiation down the right posterior thigh and calf in an L5 distribution” supports M54.41.
For M51.16/M51.17 (Disc Disorders): Reference the specific imaging study by date and result in the clinical note: “MRI lumbar spine dated [date] demonstrates L4-L5 disc herniation with right L5 nerve root compression consistent with patient’s symptoms.” The imaging report alone is insufficient — the provider must tie it to the clinical presentation.
For M48.061 (Stenosis with Neurogenic Claudication): Document classic neurogenic claudication features: “bilateral leg heaviness/pain with walking 1–2 blocks, relieved by sitting or flexion; MRI confirms severe L3-L4 central stenosis.” This language supports both the stenosis code and medical necessity for interventional management.
For S-codes (Traumatic Injury): Document the mechanism of injury, date of injury, and how current encounter relates to the original injury (initial vs. follow-up). “Patient presents for follow-up of lumbar strain sustained on [date] while lifting at work; initial encounter was [date] at urgent care” supports the S39.012D code.
Medicare contractors (Novitas, CGS, Noridian, etc.) publish LCDs for spinal procedures that specify which ICD-10 codes are covered indications. For example, epidural steroid injections under CPT 62321 commonly require one of the following as primary diagnosis: M54.41, M54.42, M51.16, M51.17, M47.816, M47.817, or M48.06/M48.07. Submitting M54.50 alone (non-specific LBP) for a lumbar ESI will typically result in a medical necessity denial. Coders should regularly check the relevant MAC’s LCD for the most current covered diagnosis list .
Workers’ comp claims for back pain almost always require S-codes (traumatic injury codes) when the condition arose from a workplace incident. Using M-codes (chronic/degenerative) for a work injury may be appropriate only for pre-existing conditions being treated in the context of a workplace aggravation — and even then, payer rules vary by state. Always document the mechanism clearly and use S39.012A, S33.5xxA, or appropriate fracture codes for acute injuries.
Most commercial payers require prior authorization for MRI, epidural steroid injections, and spinal surgery when back pain codes are involved. The authorization system typically requires that conservative care (physical therapy, NSAID trial) be documented before approving interventional procedures. Ensure that the ICD-10 codes on the PA request match those on the eventual claim — a mismatch between authorization codes and claim codes is a common source of denial .
Back pain ICD-10 codes frequently travel with specific CPT procedures. The following pairings represent high-volume, high-audit combinations:
| ICD-10 Code | Common CPT Pairing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| M54.41 / M54.42 | 62321 (Lumbar ESI, interlaminar) | Must match laterality; LCD requirements apply |
| M48.061 / M48.062 | 62321, 63047 (Lumbar laminectomy) | Neurogenic claudication code strengthens medical necessity |
| M51.16 / M51.17 | 63030 (Lumbar discectomy), 63047 | Disc code required; M54.50 alone insufficient for surgery auth |
| M47.816 / M47.817 | 64493-64495 (Facet injections) | Spondylosis code supports facet injection medical necessity |
| M54.50 / M54.59 | 97110 (PT strengthening), 97014 (E-stim) | Non-specific LBP codes appropriate for conservative therapy billing |
| M43.16 / M43.17 | 22612 (Posterior lumbar fusion), 22630 | Spondylolisthesis grade and symptoms must be documented in pre-op notes |
| M80.08xA | 22513 (Vertebroplasty), 22514 (Kyphoplasty) | Osteoporotic fracture code is a covered indication; requires acute fracture documentation |
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Region | 2026 Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| M54.2 | Cervicalgia (neck pain) | Cervical | ✅ Valid |
| M54.12 | Radiculopathy, cervical region | Cervical | ✅ Valid |
| M54.6 | Pain in thoracic spine | Thoracic | ✅ Valid |
| M54.5 | Low back pain (RETIRED) | Lumbar | ❌ Invalid since FY2021 |
| M54.50 | Low back pain, unspecified | Lumbar | ✅ Valid |
| M54.51 | Vertebrogenic low back pain | Lumbar | ✅ Valid |
| M54.59 | Other low back pain | Lumbar | ✅ Valid |
| M54.30 | Sciatica, unspecified side | Lumbar/Sciatic | ✅ Valid (avoid if laterality known) |
| M54.31 | Sciatica, right side | Lumbar/Sciatic | ✅ Valid |
| M54.32 | Sciatica, left side | Lumbar/Sciatic | ✅ Valid |
| M54.40 | Lumbago with sciatica, unspecified side | Lumbar/Sciatic | ✅ Valid (avoid if laterality known) |
| M54.41 | Lumbago with sciatica, right side | Lumbar/Sciatic | ✅ Valid |
| M54.42 | Lumbago with sciatica, left side | Lumbar/Sciatic | ✅ Valid |
| M51.16 | Intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region | Lumbar | ✅ Valid |
| M51.17 | Intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region | Lumbosacral | ✅ Valid |
| M51.36 | Other DDD, lumbar (no radiculopathy) | Lumbar | ✅ Valid |
| M51.37 | Other DDD, lumbosacral (no radiculopathy) | Lumbosacral | ✅ Valid |
| M48.06 | Spinal stenosis, lumbar region | Lumbar | ✅ Valid |
| M48.07 | Spinal stenosis, lumbosacral region | Lumbosacral | ✅ Valid |
| M48.061 | Spinal stenosis, lumbar, with neurogenic claudication | Lumbar | ✅ Valid |
| M48.062 | Spinal stenosis, lumbosacral, with neurogenic claudication | Lumbosacral | ✅ Valid |
| M47.816 | Spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbar region | Lumbar | ✅ Valid |
| M47.817 | Spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbosacral region | Lumbosacral | ✅ Valid |
| M47.896 | Other spondylosis, lumbar region (no radiculopathy) | Lumbar | ✅ Valid |
| M43.06 | Spondylolysis, lumbar region | Lumbar | ✅ Valid |
| M43.07 | Spondylolysis, lumbosacral region | Lumbosacral | ✅ Valid |
| M43.16 | Spondylolisthesis, lumbar region | Lumbar | ✅ Valid |
| M43.17 | Spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral region | Lumbosacral | ✅ Valid |
| M80.08xA | Osteoporotic fracture, vertebra(e), initial encounter | Any spinal level | ✅ Valid |
| S39.012A | Strain of lower back muscle/tendon, initial encounter | Lumbar (Traumatic) | ✅ Valid |
| S33.5xxA | Sprain of ligaments of lumbar spine, initial encounter | Lumbar (Traumatic) | ✅ Valid |
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