Sprain / strain codes by body region
Spine and extremity sprain/strain codes, initial encounter only (7th character “A”). Laterality is required where applicable.
ICD-10 Code Lookup
Quick-reference lists plus offline search of the full ICD-10-CM 2026 code set.
Clinical Reference
Quick ICD-10 code lookup for chiropractic, APRN, and procedure-based practice — musculoskeletal, trigger point and joint injection, and regenerative medicine quick-reference lists, plus offline search of the complete official ICD-10-CM 2026 code set with billing and sequencing tips.
Diagnosis quick-reference charts
Visual references for commonly used injury, musculoskeletal and neurologic diagnosis codes. Confirm the most specific code supported by the documentation.
M codes by body region
Common musculoskeletal codes for the spine, radiculopathies and extremities.
G codes for neurologic conditions
Common neurologic codes relevant to spine, extremity and post-traumatic conditions.
125 codes found
Cervical
Cervicalgia (neck pain)
Cervical disc disorder, unspecified cervical region
Cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy, mid-cervical region
Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, mid-cervical region
Radiculopathy, cervical region
Sprain of ligaments of cervical spine, initial encounter (whiplash)
Use 7th character A/D/S for encounter type
Strain of muscle, fascia and tendon at neck level, initial encounter
Spondylosis without myelopathy/radiculopathy, cervical region
Spinal stenosis, cervical region
Spondylolysis, cervical region
Thoracic
Pain in thoracic spine
Intervertebral disc displacement, mid-thoracic region
Sprain of ligaments of thoracic spine, initial encounter
Spondylosis without myelopathy/radiculopathy, thoracic region
Scoliosis, unspecified
Postural kyphosis, site unspecified
Lumbar & Pelvic
Low back pain, unspecified
Vertebrogenic low back pain
Other low back pain
Radiculopathy, lumbar region (sciatica with radiculopathy)
Radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
Intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region
Intervertebral disc displacement, lumbosacral region
Intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region
Spondylosis without myelopathy/radiculopathy, lumbar region
Spondylosis without myelopathy/radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
Spinal stenosis, lumbar region
Spondylolysis, lumbar region
Spondylolysis, lumbosacral region
Sprain of ligaments of lumbar spine, initial encounter
Strain of muscle, fascia and tendon of lower back, initial encounter
Spinal instabilities, lumbar region
Sacrococcygeal disorders, not elsewhere classified (SI joint dysfunction)
Sciatica, unspecified side
Sciatica, right side
Sciatica, left side
Sacroiliitis, not elsewhere classified
Psoas tendinitis, unspecified hip
Extremities
Pain in right shoulder
Pain in left shoulder
Rotator cuff syndrome, right shoulder
Rotator cuff syndrome, left shoulder
Pain in right elbow
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), unspecified side
Pain in right wrist
Carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper limb
Carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper limb
Pain in right hip
Pain in left hip
Pain in right knee
Pain in left knee
Primary osteoarthritis, right knee
Primary osteoarthritis, left knee
Pain in right ankle
Other enthesopathy of right foot (plantar fasciitis region)
Plantar fascial fibromatosis (plantar fasciitis)
Headache & Neurologic
Tension-type headache, unspecified, not intractable
Episodic tension-type headache, not intractable
Migraine, unspecified, not intractable, without status migrainosus
Headache, unspecified
Benign paroxysmal vertigo, unspecified ear
Dizziness and giddiness
Lumbosacral root disorders, not elsewhere classified
Soft Tissue & Sprain/Strain
Myalgia, unspecified site
Myalgia of mastication muscle
Myalgia of auxiliary muscles, head and neck
Muscle spasm of back
Muscle spasm, other site
Contracture of muscle, multiple sites
Fibromyalgia
Strain of muscle and tendon of back wall of thorax, initial encounter
Radiculopathy & Disc
Radiculopathy, site unspecified
Radiculopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region
Radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region
Radiculopathy, thoracic region
Radiculopathy, thoracolumbar region
Radiculopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
Unspecified thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorder
Trigger Point & Myofascial
Myalgia (myofascial pain), mastication muscle
Primary diagnosis family for trigger point injection (CPT 20552/20553)
Myalgia (myofascial pain) of auxiliary muscles, head and neck
Myalgia (myofascial pain), other site — trapezius, rhomboids, gluteals
Document the muscle group treated; payers require named muscles for 20552/20553
Muscle spasm of calf
Muscle spasm, other site
Cervicogenic headache
Occipital/trapezius trigger points frequently drive cervicogenic headache — supports TPI when documented
Fibromyalgia
Many payers exclude fibromyalgia from trigger point injection coverage — verify LCD first
Injections & Joint Procedures
Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of knee
Typical diagnosis for knee joint injection (CPT 20610/20611 with US guidance)
Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of hip
Bursitis of right shoulder
Supports bursa injection (CPT 20610)
Bursitis of left shoulder
Trochanteric bursitis, right hip
Trochanteric bursitis, left hip
Other bursitis of right hip
Lateral epicondylitis, right elbow
Lateral epicondylitis, left elbow
Peroneal tendinitis, right leg
Unspecified synovitis/tenosynovitis, right ankle and foot
Supports tendon sheath injection (CPT 20550)
Carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs
Supports carpal tunnel injection (CPT 20526)
Regenerative & Advanced Care
Osteoarthritis of knee, unspecified
Most common PRP/orthobiologic indication; usually not covered — document medical necessity and offer ABN
Unspecified osteoarthritis, unspecified site
Rotator cuff tear/rupture, unspecified shoulder
Common PRP target for partial-thickness tears
Achilles tendinitis, unspecified leg
Medial epicondylitis, unspecified elbow
Synovitis and tenosynovitis, unspecified
Intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region
Emerging orthobiologic indication (intradiscal/facet) — investigational with most payers
Chronic Pain & APRN Care
Chronic pain due to trauma
Other chronic pain
Pair with site-specific code; supports E/M chronic care management
Chronic pain syndrome
Requires documented associated psychosocial dysfunction
Muscle weakness (generalized)
Other abnormalities of gait and mobility
Weakness
Dorsalgia, unspecified
Use only when a more specific M54.x code is not supported by the exam
Encounter for general adult medical examination without abnormal findings
Encounter for other specified special examinations
General & Encounter
Segmental and somatic dysfunction of head region
Commonly paired with CMT to document region treated
Segmental and somatic dysfunction of cervical region
Segmental and somatic dysfunction of thoracic region
Segmental and somatic dysfunction of lumbar region
Segmental and somatic dysfunction of pelvic region
Segmental and somatic dysfunction of lower extremity
Segmental and somatic dysfunction of upper extremity
Segmental and somatic dysfunction of rib cage
Pain in unspecified joint
Facial weakness
Other symptoms and signs involving the nervous system
Encounter for screening for other musculoskeletal disorder
Coding reminders
- Pair an M99.x segmental dysfunction code with CMT (98940/98941/98942) to document the region(s) adjusted.
- Use the most specific code available — prefer M54.51 (vertebrogenic low back pain) over M54.50 when the record supports it.
- Sprain/strain codes (S13, S23, S33, S16, S39) require a 7th character: A (initial), D (subsequent), S (sequela).
- Trigger point injections (CPT 20552 = 1–2 muscles, 20553 = 3+) must name the exact muscles treated in the note, and the diagnosis must support medical necessity — myofascial pain (M79.1x) is the standard family.
- Joint and bursa injections (CPT 20604/20606/20610/20611) require image documentation when ultrasound guidance is billed — save the image in the chart.
- PRP and other orthobiologics (CPT 0232T) are investigational with nearly all payers — set expectations up front, use an ABN for Medicare, and price cash-pay packages in writing.
- Diagnosis sequencing matters: list the primary condition first, followed by secondary and M99.x dysfunction codes, matching the clinic's treatment protocol rules.
- These codes are a quick reference for common presentations — always confirm against the official ICD-10-CM code set and the payer's LCD/NCD policies before billing.