Spine Diagnoses

Common Neck/ Back Diagnoses 

1. Avascular Necrosis (M87.2) -This neck/back condition is defined as an interruption of blood supply to the bony tissue, leading to bone cell death. It most commonly affects the neck and spine, where it can cause pain and a decrease in mobility. Treatment typically includes physical therapy and rest, but in more severe cases may require surgical intervention or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).  
2. Cervical spondylosis (M47.1) – Cervical spondylosis is a neck/back degenerative condition that can occur due to age-related wear and tear on the spine. Symptoms of cervical spondylosis include neck pain, muscle weakness, and reduced range of motion of the neck. Treatment may involve medications, physical therapy, rest, or in some cases surgery. 
3. Costochondritis (M94.1) – Costochondritis is neck/back inflammation of the costal cartilage, which connects the ribs to the sternum. It is mostly caused by repetitive strain or injury and can cause chest pain that sometimes spreads to other parts of the body. Treatment typically involves rest, ice and heat therapy, and medications such as NSAIDs or muscle relaxants. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary.  
4. Degenerative disc disease (M51.7) – Degenerative disc disease is neck/back a condition that occurs when the discs between the vertebrae become weak or start to wear away, leading to neck and back pain as well as stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications like NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, and sometimes surgery.  
5. Herniated Disc (M51.6) – A herniated disc neck/back is a condition where one or more of the discs between the vertebrae become damaged and rupture, leading to neck and back pain as well as numbness and tingling in the arms or legs. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications like NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, and sometimes surgery.  
6. Ligamentous injury/sprain (S13.0) – Ligamentous neck/back injury or sprain is a condition where one or more of the ligaments around the neck and back become damaged, leading to neck and back pain as well as stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications like NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, and sometimes surgery.  
7. Lumbar Facet Joint Dysfunction (M43.2) – Lumbar neck/back facet joint dysfunction is a condition where the joints in the lower back become damaged, leading to neck and back pain as well as stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications like NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, and sometimes surgery.  
8. Muscular pain syndromes (tension type headache, cervicogenic headache) (G44.3) – Muscular neck/back pain syndromes are conditions where neck and back muscles become strained or damaged, leading to neck and back pain as well as stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications like NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, and sometimes surgery. 
9. Muscle Strains (S46.9) – Muscle neck/back strains are injuries to the neck and back muscles, which can lead to neck and back pain as well as stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications like NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, and sometimes surgery.   
10. Nerve root entrapment (radiculopathy) (M54.2) – Nerve neck/back root entrapment (radiculopathy) is a condition where the nerves in the neck and back become compressed, leading to neck and back pain as well as numbness and tingling in the arms or legs. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications like NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, and sometimes surgery.  
11. Osteoarthritis (M16.1) – Osteoarthritis neck/back is a condition where the joints in the neck and back become damaged, leading to neck and back pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications like NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, and sometimes surgery. 
12. Piriformis Syndrome (M54.8) – Piriformis neck/back syndrome is a condition where the piriformis muscle in the neck and back becomes strained or irritated, leading to neck and back pain as well as numbness and tingling in the arms or legs. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications like NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, and sometimes surgery.  
13. Sacroiliitis (M54.5) – Sacroiliitis neck/back is a condition where the sacroiliac joint in the neck and back becomes inflamed, leading to neck and back pain as well as stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications like NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, and sometimes surgery. 
14. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (M25.5) – Sacroiliac neck/back joint dysfunction is a condition where the sacroiliac joint in the neck and back become damaged, leading to neck and back pain as well as stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications like NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, and sometimes surgery.  
15. Sacral Insufficiency Fracture (M80.30) – Sacral neck/back insufficiency fracture is a condition where the sacrum in the neck and back becomes weakened, leading to neck and back pain as well as instability or weakness in the lower back. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications such as NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, braces, or casts, and in some cases surgery.  
16. Sciatica (M54.3) – Sciatica neck/back is a condition where the sciatic nerve in the neck and back become compressed, leading to neck and back pain as well as numbness and tingling in the arms or legs. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications like NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, and sometimes surgery.  
17. Spinal Stenosis (M48.06) – Spinal neck/back stenosis is a condition where the spinal canal in the neck and back narrows, leading to neck and back pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications such as NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, braces, or casts, and in some cases surgery.  
18. Spondylolysis (M43.10) – Spondylolysis neck/back is a condition where the bones in the neck and back become weakened, leading to neck and back pain as well as instability or weakness in the lower back. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications such as NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, braces, or casts, and in some cases surgery.  
19. Spondylolisthesis (M43.12) – Spondylolisthesis neck/back is a condition where the bones in the neck and back become misaligned, leading to neck and back pain as well as instability or weakness in the lower back. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications such as NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, braces, or casts, and in some cases surgery.  
20. Trauma or compression fracture (S22.00-S22.09) – Trauma neck/back or compression fracture is a condition where the bones in the neck and back become fractured, leading to neck and back pain as well as instability or weakness in the lower back. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications such as NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, braces, or casts, and in some cases surgery.  
21. Whiplash injury activity or other trauma (S13.00-S13.9) – Whiplash neck/back injury or other trauma is a condition where the neck and back muscles, ligaments, nerves, and discs become injured due to sudden jolting or jerking of the neck, leading to neck and back pain as well as stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy exercises, medications such as NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, and in some cases neck braces.  

These are the common neck/back ICD 10 codes that can help your healthcare provider diagnose and treat neck/back pain or related conditions. If you think you may have any of these conditions, it is important to speak to your doctor about the best treatment options for you. The neck and back are complex systems, composed of bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Taking care of them is important to prevent neck/back injuries or conditions. You can do this by keeping physically active, avoiding activities that put too much strain on your neck/back, and by stretching before exercising.