M54.32 – Sciatica, left side
The ICD-10-CM code M54.32 is for diagnosing a patient with sciatica on the left side. 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.
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 symptoms, then they may 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.
Once a diagnosis has been made, you can treat sciatica by prescribing non-steroid anti-inflammation medicine, having them take physical therapy, exercising regularly, using ice and heat compresses. If the sciatica is severe, spinal injections or surgery might be the best choice.
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
Other ICD-10 codes commonly used for sciatica
- M54.3 - Sciatica
- M54.30 - Sciatica, unspecified side
- M54.31 - Sciatica, right side
- M54.4 - Lumbago with sciatica
- M54.40 - Lumbago with sciatica, unspecified side
- M54.41 - Lumbago with sciatica, right side
- M54.42 - Lumbago with sciatica, left side
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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.
