M54.32 – Sciatica, left side

M54.32 – Sciatica, left side

The ICD-10-CM code M54.32 is for diagnosing a patient with sciatica on the left side. Learn more about it through this guide.

By Matt Olivares on Aug 8, 2025.

Fact Checked by Karina Jimenea.

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M54.32 – Sciatica, left side

The M54.32 is an ICD code included in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM, for short), and it is used to designate “Sciatica, left side.”

Sciatica is a term used to describe a certain lower back condition in which a patient with it feels pain in their lower back. This pain is a radiating kind of pain, meaning that it spreads out. In the case of sciatica, the pain radiates to the buttocks area and may even reach the legs. In the case of this ICD-10 code, the sciatica is on the left side.

This condition often pops up alongside other problems, like lumbago and radiculopathy, so it's best to conduct a comprehensive examination to find out if the patient has sciatica or other conditions.

Is M54.32 billable?

Yes, the M54.32 ICD code is billable and can be used to designate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

M54.32 clinical information

To find out if a person has sciatica, the first thing you need to do is to take note of symptoms. During an appointment, ask your patient what they feel exactly about their lower back problem. If they mention the following sciatica symptoms, then they likely have sciatica:

  • Lower back pain, especially if they lift their legs upward, bend, cough, or sneeze
  • A prickling feeling in their lower back (“pins and needles”)
  • Numbness in their lower back, buttocks, and legs
  • If their legs feel weak

To confirm that the patient has sciatica, you must conduct a comprehensive examination that includes physical examination techniques like the Straight Leg Raise Test and imaging tests like MRI and Electromyography.

Do note that sciatica may indicate other potential back problems like herniated discs, spondylolisthesis, and spinal stenosis, so it's best to check for those as well. If the patient only has sciatica on the left side of their body, then this ICD-10 code is viable.

Healthcare providers can treat patients suffering from sciatica by prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, having them take physical therapy, exercising regularly, and using ice and heat compresses. If the sciatica is severe, spinal injections or surgery might be the best choice. Physical therapists can help rehabilitate the affected left side.

M54.32 synonyms include

  • Disorder of left sciatic nerve
  • Left side sciatica
  • Bilateral sciatica
  • Bilateral neuralgia of nerve of lower limbs
  • Bilateral sciatic nerve disorder
  • Sciatica due to intervertebral disc disorder
  • Sciatica due to intervertebral disc degeneration
  • Chronic back pain due to sciatica
  • Sciatica accompanied by lumbar radiculopathy
  • Leg pain stemming from sciatica
  • Lower extremity pain stemming from sciatica
  • Sciatica on the left side of the lumbar region

Popular search terms for M54.32

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Other ICD-10 codes commonly used for sciatica

Commonly asked questions

Yes, this ICD-10 code is billable.

When you confirm that the patient has sciatica and only sciatica. If they have another lower back problem alongside it, use a more appropriate ICD-10 code, like M54.42, which is for diagnosing Lumbago with sciatica on the left side.

Ice and heat compress, pain medication, regular exercises, and physical therapy.

Related ICDs

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