M48.06 – Spinal stenosis, lumbar region
The ICD-10-CM code M48.06 diagnoses spinal stenosis in the lumbar region of the spine. Learn what this code entails, from its clinical information, if it’s billable or not, FAQs, and even related ICD-10 codes by reading this short guide.
Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.
M48.06 – Spinal stenosis, lumbar regio
The M48.06 is an ICD code included in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (or the ICD-10-CM for short), and it is used to designate “Spinal stenosis, lumbar region.”
If you have a patient with spinal stenosis, that means their spine is degenerating because the spaces in the spine have narrowed over time. The narrowing of these spaces exerts pressure on the spine and the nerve roots. Several symptoms indicate this condition, such as pain in the spinal region where the stenosis occurs, difficulty moving, numbness, cramps, tingling, and weakness in certain limbs.
Is the M48.06 billable?
No. This ICD-10 code is not billable because there are other codes with higher levels of specificity.
M48.06 clinical information
If you have a patient who presents themselves to you to discuss aches in the lumbar region of their spine, have them expound on what they are feeling exactly. If they mention any of the following symptoms, then there’s a chance that your patient is dealing with spinal stenosis.
- Pains in their lower back, specifically the lumbar region
- Radiating pain that reaches the lower extremities
- Pain that becomes worse whenever they stand up or walk
- They get relieved from the pain whenever they lean forward
- If the lumbar region feels numb
- If the legs feel numb
- If they feel tingling and cramps in their lumbar region and legs
- If their legs and feet feel weak
Spinal stenosis develops because of age, but it can result from other spine conditions like a herniated disc, spondylolisthesis, and even arthritis.
Once physical examinations and imaging tests confirm that the patient has spinal stenosis, the treatment they will receive will depend on the severity of the stenosis. If the stenosis isn’t severe, medication (e.g. anti-inflammation medicine, steroids, pain relievers) and physical therapy are often included in the treatment. If the stenosis is severe, surgery might be a must.
M48.06 synonyms include
- Spinal stenosis of lumbar region
- Iatrogenic lumbar spinal stenosis
- Idiopathic lumbar spinal stenosis
- Stenosis of lateral recess of lumbar spine
- Stenosis of lumbar vertebral foramen
- Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis
Other ICD-10 codes used for spinal stenosis
- M48.061 - Spinal stenosis, lumbar region without neurogenic claudication
- M48.062 - Spinal stenosis, lumbar region with neurogenic claudication
- M48.07 - Spinal stenosis, lumbosacral region
- M48.0 - Spinal stenosis
- M48.00 - Spinal stenosis, site unspecified
- M48.01 - Spinal stenosis, occipito-atlanto-axial region
- M48.02 - Spinal stenosis, cervical region
- M48.03 - Spinal stenosis, cervicothoracic region
- M48.04 - Spinal stenosis, thoracic region
- M48.05 - Spinal stenosis, thoracolumbar region
- M48.08 - Spinal stenosis, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
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Commonly asked questions
No. Please use an ICD-10 code with higher specificity for this condition, like M48.061 - Spinal stenosis, lumbar region without neurogenic claudication.
When you have a patient with spinal stenosis in their lumbar region. Make sure to conduct further tests to designate them with a more specific ICD-10 code.
Pain medication, anti-inflammation medication, and physical therapy.
