M51.4
Schmorl's nodes
Non-billable headerNot valid on its own. Use one of the more specific codes under it.
M51.4 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code header for schmorl's nodes. Report a more specific code from it instead. It is part of the FY2027 code set, effective October 1, 2026. The more specific codes under it are M51.44 Schmorl's nodes, thoracic region; M51.45 Schmorl's nodes, thoracolumbar region; M51.46 Schmorl's nodes, lumbar region and M51.47 Schmorl's nodes, lumbosacral region. Its coding notes include 2 Excludes1 entries and 12 Excludes2 entries.
Excludes1
Not coded here. The listed conditions generally should not be reported together.
Excludes2
Not included here. Both codes may be reported if the patient has both conditions.
Inherited from M51 Thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders
Also from chapter/block level (10 notes)
Inherited from Chapter 13 Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
- arthropathic psoriasis (L40.5-)
- certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
- certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
- compartment syndrome (traumatic) (T79.A-)
- complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
- congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
- endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
- injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
- neoplasms (C00-D49)
- symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)
Notes
Also from chapter/block level (1 note)
Inherited from Chapter 13 Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
- Use an external cause code following the code for the musculoskeletal condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the musculoskeletal condition