ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M54.10 - Radiculopathy, site unspecified (original) (raw)

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ICD List 2025-2026 Edition

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Radiculopathy, site unspecified

ICD-10-CM Code:

M54.10

ICD-10 Code for:

Radiculopathy, site unspecified

Is Billable?

Yes - Valid for Submission

Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]

Chronic

Code Navigator:

M54.10 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of radiculopathy, site unspecified. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

This medical diagnosis code is frequently used in Orthopedics medical specialties to designate conditions such radiculopathy (primary).

Unspecified diagnosis codes like M54.10 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

  1. Code Information
  2. Approximate Synonyms
  3. Clinical Classification
  4. Clinical Information
  5. Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
  6. Index to Diseases and Injuries References
  8. Convert to ICD-9 Code
  9. Patient Education
  10. Other Codes Used Similar Conditions
  11. Code History

The following list of clinical terms are approximate synonyms, alternative descriptions, or common phrases that might be used by patients, healthcare providers, or medical coders to describe the same condition. These synonyms and related diagnosis terms are often used when searching for an ICD-10 code, especially when the exact medical terminology is unclear. Whether you're looking for lay terms, similar diagnosis names, or common language alternatives, this list can help guide you to the correct ICD-10 classification.

Clinical Classifications group individual ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes into broader, clinically meaningful categories. These categories help simplify complex data by organizing related conditions under common clinical themes.

They are especially useful for data analysis, reporting, and clinical decision-making. Even when diagnosis codes differ, similar conditions can be grouped together based on their clinical relevance. Each category is assigned a unique CCSR code that represents a specific clinical concept, often tied to a body system or medical specialty.

CCSR Code: MUS011

Inpatient Default: Y - Yes, default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.

Outpatient Default: Y - Yes, default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.

mild symptoms

moderate symptoms; medical intervention indicated; limiting instrumental adl

severe symptoms; limiting self care adl

life-threatening consequences; urgent intervention indicated

death

an inflammatory process affecting a nerve root. patients experience pain radiating along a nerve path because of spinal pressure on the nerve root that connects to the nerve path.

a disorder characterized by inflammation involving a nerve root. patients experience marked discomfort radiating along a nerve path because of spinal pressure on the connecting nerve root.

moderate symptoms; medical intervention indicated; limiting instrumental adl or mild/moderate impact on age-appropriate normal daily activity (pediatric)

severe symptoms; limiting self-care adl or severe impact on age-appropriate normal daily activity (pediatric)

inflammation of a nerve root in the thoracic area of the spine.

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

References found for this diagnosis code in the External Cause of Injuries Index:

Below are the ICD-9 codes that most closely match this ICD-10 code, based on the General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs). This ICD-10 to ICD-9 crosswalk tool is helpful for coders who need to reference legacy diagnosis codes for audits, historical claims, or approximate code comparisons.

ICD-9-CM: 729.2

Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means this ICD-10 code does not have an exact ICD-9 equivalent. The matched code is the closest available option, but it may not fully capture the original diagnosis or clinical intent.

Back Pain

If you've ever groaned, "Oh, my aching back!", you are not alone. Back pain is one of the most common medical problems, affecting 8 out of 10 people at some point during their lives. Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain. Acute back pain comes on suddenly and usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Back pain is called chronic if it lasts for more than three months.

Most back pain goes away on its own, though it may take awhile. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and resting can help. However, staying in bed for more than 1 or 2 days can make it worse.

If your back pain is severe or doesn't improve after three days, you should call your health care provider. You should also get medical attention if you have back pain following an injury.

Treatment for back pain depends on what kind of pain you have, and what is causing it. It may include hot or cold packs, exercise, medicines, injections, complementary treatments, and sometimes surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Peripheral Nerve Disorders

What are peripheral nerves?

Nerves are like wires that carry messages back and forth between your brain and your body. Your peripheral nerves branch off from your brain and spinal cord and connect to all parts of your body, including your muscles and organs. Peripheral nerves carry messages from your brain that control your movement, breathing, heartbeat, digestion, and more. They also carry messages from your body to your brain, so you can feel things, such as pain, heat, and cold.

What are peripheral nerve disorders?

Peripheral nerve disorders happen when one or more peripheral nerves are damaged. Damaged nerves may not carry messages correctly, or they may not work at all. As a result, you may have pain, trouble walking, or a variety of other problems, depending on which nerves are involved.

Peripheral nerve disorders are very common. There are more than 100 different types.

What causes peripheral nerve disorders?

Many things can damage nerves and lead to peripheral nerve disorders:

In certain cases, the cause of peripheral nerve disorder is not known.

What are the symptoms of peripheral nerve disorders?

The symptoms of peripheral nerve disorders depend on which nerves are affected, what is causing the damage, and how serious it is:

Types of nerves Possible symptoms of nerve damage
Motor nerves control your muscles and all your movement, such as walking, talking, and using your hands. Weak or aching musclesProblems with balance, walking, or using your arms and handsCramps or twitching musclesMuscle shrinking
Sensory nerves carry messages to your brain from your senses, including touch, hot and cold, and pain. Tingling, numbness, or pain often in the hands and feetNot being able to feel heat, cold, or pain, such as a cut on your footPain from even light touch
Autonomic nerves send messages to your organs to control breathing, digestion, and other body functions that happen without thinking about them. A heartbeat that's too fast or too slowTrouble swallowingSweating too much or too littleVomiting, diarrhea, or constipationProblems with urination or sexual function

Symptoms may range from mild to very strong. They may develop quickly over days or slowly over months and years. But they are rarely life-threatening.

How are peripheral nerve disorders diagnosed?

To find out if you have a peripheral nerve disorder, your provider will:

What are the treatments for peripheral nerve disorders?

It's important to treat any conditions that are causing nerve damage. In certain cases, that will allow your nerves to heal over time.

Treatment for symptoms depends on the type of peripheral nerve disorder you have, where it is, and how severe. Treatment options include:

Can peripheral nerve disorders be prevented?

You can help prevent peripheral nerve disorders by:

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the United States. It might feel like a dull, constant ache or a sudden, sharp pain.
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]