M51.17 – Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
Learn all you need to know about the ICD-10-CM code M51.17, used to diagnose intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, specifically in the lumbosacral region of the back. This mini-guide will include its clinical information, if it’s billable or not, what its synonyms are, what ICD codes are related to it, and a few FAQs.
Fact Checked by Nate Lacson.
M51.17 – Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
The M51.17 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 “Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbosacral region.”
An intervertebral disc disorder can point to the degeneration of the lumbar disc. It can also mean that the lumbar disc is herniated or bulging. This is not good because it limits the movement of a person. It can make their lower back feel weak and can even cause pain and numbness.
On the other hand, radiculopathy is a type of pain that results from nerve root compression and irritation.
In the context of this ICD code, these problems are located in the lumbosacral region of the back.
Is the M51.17 billable?
Yes, the M51.17 ICD code is billable and can be used to designate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
M51.17 clinical information
Around the age of 40, most people begin to develop disc degeneration, mainly because of wear and tear. When this happens, the discs won’t be able to do their job as shock absorbers as well as they used to, and eventually, they will wear to the point that our bones will start rubbing against each other. That’s not good because that will cause pain and give rise to intervertebral disc disorders like herniated discs, scoliosis, and even spinal stenosis.
These disorders can add to the pain and even compress or irritate nerve roots. If nerve roots are affected, this can cause radiculopathy, a radiating pain that can spread to the legs.
In the context of this ICD code, the disc disorder and the radiculopathy is in the lumbosacral region of the back.
If a patient mentions any of the following symptoms, then there is a chance that they might have an intervertebral disc disorder with radiculopathy:
- Sharp pain in the lumbosacral region
- If they feel pain whenever they try to lift objects, especially heavy ones
- If they have a hard time moving and twisting their back, plus feel pain while moving
- Radiating pain in the lumbosacral region that reaches their legs
- Weakness
- Tingling
To find out, you can perform physical examination techniques that gauge the lower back and imaging tests.
These problems are normally treated using pain medication, anti-inflammation medication, physical therapy, the use of back braces, and even acupuncture! For severe cases, surgery might be the best bet.
M51.17 synonyms include
- Radiculopathy co-occurrent and due to lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorder
- Radiculopathy due to intervertebral disc disorder
- Radiculopathy of lumbosacral spine due to disc disorder
- Disorder of lumbosacral intervertebral disc
- Displacement of lumbar intervertebral disc
- Lumbago-sciatica due to displacement of lumbar intervertebral disc
Other ICD-10 codes used for intervertebral disc disorders
- M51.14 Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, thoracic region
- M51.15 Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, thoracolumbar region
- M51.16 Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region
- M51.2 Other thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc displacement
- M51.24 Other intervertebral disc displacement, thoracic region
- M51.25 Other intervertebral disc displacement, thoracolumbar region
- M51.26 Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region
- M51.27 Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbosacral region
- M51.3 Other thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc degeneration
- M51.34 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, thoracic region
- M51.35 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, thoracolumbar region
- M51.36 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region
- M51.37 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region
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Commonly asked questions
Yes, this ICD-10 code is billable.
Once you confirm through tests that the patient does have an intervertebral disc disorder with radiculopathy in the lumbosacral region of their back.
Common treatments for this include pain and anti-inflammation medicine and physical therapy.
