M54.5 – Low Back Pain

M54.5 diagnosis code: Low back pain

• M54.5 is a non-specific diagnosis code that pertains to low back pain, a common condition affecting millions worldwide.
• Low back pain can be acute or chronic, with varying intensity and duration.
• Low back pain has multiple causes. It may be due to intervertebral disc degeneration, intervertebral disc displacement, intervertebral disc disorder, muscle strain, ligament sprain, disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or osteoarthritis.
• The diagnosis may involve a physical examination, medical history, and imaging studies such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans.
• Treatment options depend on the underlying cause and may include pain management, physical therapy, or surgical intervention.

Is M54.5 billable?

M54.5 is not a billable ICD-10-CM code for low back pain. The most commonly billed codes for low back pain are the more specific codes like M54.50 and M54.1.

Clinical information

• Low back pain is the leading cause of disability globally.
• It can occur suddenly or develop gradually over time.
• Risk factors include age, occupation, poor posture, obesity, and lack of physical activity.
• Noninvasive treatments such as exercise, heat/cold therapy, and over-the-counter pain relievers are often effective.
• In some cases, referral to a specialist, such as a physiotherapist or chiropractor, may be necessary.

Synonyms include

• Lumbago
• Lumbar pain
• Low backache
• Lower back discomfort
• Pain in the lumbar region
• Discogenic back pain

Other ICD-10 codes commonly used for low back pain

• M54.50: Low back pain unspecified
• M54.51: Vertebrogenic low back pain
• M54.59: Other low back pain