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ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesLumbar Disc Herniation With Radiculopathy

Lumbar Disc Herniation With Radiculopathy

ICD-10 Coding for Lumbar Disc Herniation with Radiculopathy(M51.16, M54.16)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYNeurosurgery
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Lumbar Disc Herniation With Radiculopathy?
Essential facts and insights about Lumbar Disc Herniation with Radiculopathy

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Lower back pain radiating to the legs
  • Numbness or tingling in the lower extremities
  • Muscle weakness in the legs
  • Positive straight leg raise test
  • MRI or CT findings of disc herniation

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Detailed patient history including onset and duration of symptoms
  • Physical examination findings including neurological assessment
  • Imaging results confirming disc herniation
  • Treatment plan and response to previous treatments

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Follow usage guidelines for specific codes to avoid denials.
  • Common errors include incorrect code selection and lack of supporting documentation.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and other lumbar spine conditions
  • Alternative codes for cervical or thoracic disc herniation

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
M51.26
Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region with radiculopathy
M54.16
Radiculopathy, lumbar region
Differential Codes
M54.16
M51.16

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Neurosurgery

Specialty Applications

  • Adults with lumbar disc issues
  • Neurosurgery and orthopedic clinical settings

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the documentation requirements?

Include detailed history, physical exam findings, and imaging results.

What are the billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding based on documentation and confirm medical necessity.