Diagnosis Codes (ICD-9) Commonly
Used in the Chiropractic Office

This section was compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:   Frankp@chiro.org

Check out our NEW, and slowly evolving   ICD-10 Codes Page

This is a cross-section of the ICD-9 Codes commonly used in chiropractic offices, listed by body region and complaint. These codes were compiled from the International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision by PMIC.

DIAGNOSIS CODES:

The Cervical Spine:
The MEDICARE listings for Subluxation (the 739 series):
739.0   Occipital Subluxation            (Nonallopathic Lesion)
739.1   Cervical Subluxation             (Nonallopathic Lesion)
739.2   Thoracic  Subluxation            (Nonallopathic Lesion)
739.3   Lumbar Subluxation               (Nonallopathic Lesion)
739.4   Sacrum or Coccyx Subluxation     (Nonallopathic Lesion)
739.5   Pelvic (Ilia or SI) Subluxation  (Nonallopathic Lesion)

Personally, I prefer the 839 series: (What is an Nonallopathic Lesion?)
839.01   Subluxation of First Cervical Vertebra
839.02   Subluxation of Second Vertebra (.03 = Third, etc.)
839.08   Multiple Cervical Subluxation

722.0    Cervical Disc Disorder w/o Myelopathy
722.71   Cervical Disc Disorder with Myelopathy
723.0    Cervical Spinal Stenosis (usually Disc-related)

728.4    Ligament laxity (observed on flexion/extension films)
723.2    Cervicocranial Syndrome (Barre-Lieou syndrome; 
            Posterior cervical sympathetic syndrome)
723.3    Cervicobrachial Syndrome (diffuse)
723.4    Brachial Neuritis; Cervical Radiculitis; Radicular Syndrome of Upper Extremity
723.5    Torticollis; Contracture of Neck
722.4    Degeneration of Cervical Disc(s)
353.2    Cervical Nerve Root Lesion
724.9    Foraminal Encroachment (Compression) of Nerve Root, Cervical
722.81   Postlaminectomy Syndrome Of Cervical Region 
354.1    Median Nerve Neuritis
354.2    Ulnar Nerve Lesion
354.3    Radial Nerve Lesion
719.08   Edema of Cervical Facet Joint
719.48   Arthralgia of Cervical Spine
719.58   Stiffness of Cervical Spine
847.0    Cervical Sprain/Strain
723.2    Cervicocranial Syndrome
351.0    Bell’s Palsy
723.8    Occipital Neuralgia
723.3    Cervicobrachial Syndrome 
353.0    Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
726.1    Rotator Cuff Syndrome
726.10   Supraspinatus Syndrome
354.0    Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
524.6    TMJ Dysfunction Syndrome
847.0    Acute post-traumatic torticollis

DISCONTINUE USE OF:
333.83   Spasmodic Torticollis- This is generally due to hereditary CNS problems 
or degenerative CNS problems.

The Thoracic Spine:
839.21   Subluxation of the Thoracic Vertebrae
722.11   Thoracic Disc Disorder w/o Myelopathy
722.72   Thoracic Disc Disorder with Myelopathy
722.51   Degeneration of Thoracic Disc(s)
724.9    Foraminal Encroachment (Compression) of Nerve Root, Thoracic
722.82   Postlaminectomy Syndrome Of Thoracic Region 
353.3    Thoracic Nerve Root Lesion
724.4    Thoracic Or Lumbosacral Neuritis Or Radiculitis
719.08   Edema of Thoracic Facet Joint
847.1    Thoracic Sprain/Strain
719.48   Arthralgia of Thoracic Spine
719.58   Stiffness of Thoracic Spine

The Lumbar Spine:
839.20   Subluxation of the Lumbar Vertebrae
722.10   Lumbar Disc Disorder w/o Myelopathy
722.73   Lumbar Disc Disorder with Myelopathy
722.52   Degeneration of Lumbar Disc(s)
738.4    Spondylolysis/Spondylolisthesis (Acquired)
756.12   Spondylolysis (Congenital)
756.11   Prespondylolisthesis (Congenital)
724.3    Sciatica; Neuralgia of Sciatic Nerve
724.9    Foraminal Encroachment (Compression) of Nerve Root, Lumbar
722.83   Postlaminectomy Syndrome Of Lumbar Region 
724.4    Thoracic Or Lumbosacral Neuritis Or Radiculitis
353.4    Lumbosacral Nerve Root Lesion
719.08   Edema of Lumbar Facet Joint
847.2    Lumbar Sprain/Strain
719.48   Arthralgia of Lumbar Spine
719.58   Stiffness of Lumbar Spine

The Pelvis:
839.42   Subluxation of the Sacroiliac Joint
847.3    Sacroiliac (SI) Sprain/Strain
353.1    Lumbosacral Plexus Lesion
720.2    Sacroilitis
719.08   Edema of Sacroiliac Joint
719.48   Arthralgia of Sacroiliac Joint
719.58   Stiffness of Sacroiliac Joint

839.41   Subluxation of the Coccyx
724.71   Hypermobility Of Coccyx
847.4    Coccyx Sprain/Strain
353.1    Lumbosacral Plexus Lesion

The Peripheral Joint Codes:
831.01   Anterior Subluxation of Humerus
831.02   Posterior Subluxation of Humerus
832.12   Subluxation of Elbow
833.03   Subluxation of Carpal Bone
836.53   Medial Subluxation of Tibia
836.54   Lateral Subluxation of Tibia
838.01   Subluxation of Tarsal Bone

NOTE:    Look for the symptom listings below 
         Edema (719.0 codes), Arthralgia (719.4), Stiffness (719.5) and Crepitus (719.6)

Sprains and Strains of Shoulder and Upper Arm:
840.0    Acromioclavicular (joint) (ligament)
840.1    Coracoclavicular (ligament)
840.2    Coracohumeral (ligament)
840.3    Infraspinatus (muscle) (tendon)
840.4    Rotator cuff (capsule)
840.5    Subscapularis (muscle)
840.6    Supraspinatus (muscle) (tendon)


Various Other Codes:
733.1    Collapsed Vertebra

805.0    Compression Fracture (C1 or C2)
805.1    Compression Fracture (Cervical)
805.2    Compression Fracture (Thoracic)
805.4    Compression Fracture (Lumbar)
805.6    Compression Fracture (Sacrum)

381.00   Acute Nonsuppurative Otitis Media
381.10   Chronic Serous Otitis Media, Simple Or Unspecified
382.00   Acute Suppurative Otitis Media W/O Spontaneous Rupture Of Eardrum

724.9    Ankylosing Sponylitis (Ankylosis of Spine)

736.81   Acquired Unequal Leg Length
755.30   Congenital Unequal Leg Length
781.2    Abnormality of Gait (Ataxic, Paralytic, Spastic, Staggering)
719.7    Difficulty in Walking
781.3    Lack of Coordination
781.9    Abnormal Posture

737.10   Kyphosis (Acquired)
737.20   Lordosis (Acquired)
738.2    Hypolordosis of the Cervical/Lumbar Spine (Acquired)
738.2    Reversal of the Cervical Curve
737.30   Scoliosis (Idiopathic)

715.9    Degenerative Joint Disease (Osteoarthritis)
715.95   Degenerative Joint Disease of the Hip
715.96   Degenerative Joint Disease of the Knee

715.09   Osteoarthrosis of Multiple Sites
716.9    Chronic Arthritis

734      Pes Planus, Acquired
754.61   Pes Planus, Congenital
736.41   Genu Valgus

733.0    Osteoporosis
733.01   Osteoporosis Senile
733.02   Osteoporosis Idiopathic


SYMPTOMS:
723.1    Cervicalgia
724.1    Thoracic Spine Pain
724.2    Lumbalgia
648.70   Pregnancy Backache

724.5    Vertebrogenic Pain Syndrome

726.90   Tendinitis/Capsulitis
727.00   Synovitis/Tenosynovitis
727.3    Bursitis

729.1    Myofascitis of Upper or Extremity Musculature

729.4    Fascitis

782.8    Changes In Skin Texture/Induration

728.87   Muscle Weakness
728.85   Muscle Spasm
780.4    Dizziness
438.85   Vertigo
780.4    Dizziness And Giddiness/Light-headedness/Vertigo

780.5    Sleep Disturbance
780.7    Fatigue
787.2    Dysphagia
784.5    Dysarthria/Dysphasia/Slurred speech
784.9    Choking Sensation
784.49   Hoarseness of Speech/Dysphonia/Hypernasality/Hyponasality
787.0    Nausea

782.0    Paresthesia/Tingling/Burning/Prickling
354.8    Nerve Inflammation/Compression (Upper Limb)
443.0    Raynaud's Syndrome
354.4    Causalgia of Upper Limb
355.71   Causalgia of Lower Limb
355.9    Causalgia of (WHATEVER)
780.2    Syncope

726.0    Adhesive Capsulitis of Shoulder
726.11   Calcific Tendinitis of Shoulder
726.12   Bicipital Tenosynovitis

905.6    Late Effects of Subluxation [Late effect of injury classifiable to 830-839]
905.7    Late Effects of Sprain or Strain


Joint Specific Symptoms:
719.01   Edema of Acromioclavicular/Glenohumeral/Sternoclavicular
719.02   Edema of Elbow joint/Humerus
719.03   Edema of Wrist
719.06   Edema of Knee joint/Fibula/Patella/Tibia
719.07   Edema of Ankle/Foot Joints
719.08   Edema of  Cervical Spine/Thoracic Spine/Lumbar Spine

719.41   Arthralgia of Shoulder
719.42   Arthralgia of Elbow
719.44   Arthralgia of Hand/Wrist
719.45   Arthralgia of Sacroiliac Joint
719.46   Arthralgia of Knee
719.47   Arthralgia of Ankle/Foot
719.48   Arthralgia of Cervical Spine/Thoracic Spine/Lumbar Spine

719.51   Stiffness of Shoulder
719.52   Stiffness of Elbow
719.53   Stiffness of Hand/Wrist
719.55   Stiffness of Sacroiliac Joint
719.56   Stiffness of Knee Joint
719.57   Stiffness of Ankle/Foot
719.58   Stiffness of Cervical Spine/Thoracic Spine/Lumbar Spine

719.61   Crepitus of Shoulder
719.62   Crepitus of Elbow
719.64   Crepitus of Hand/Wrist
719.65   Crepitus of Sacroiliac Joint
719.66   Crepitus of Knee
719.67   Crepitus of Ankle/Foot
719.68   Crepitus of Cervical Spine/Thoracic Spine/Lumbar Spine


Headaches:
NOTE: Always use the more specific 5 digit code!
Cluster Headaches And Other Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalgias
   339.00  Cluster headache syndrome, unspecified 
   339.01  Episodic cluster headache 
   339.05  Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with 
             conjunctival injection and tearing 
   339.09 Other trigeminal autonomic cephalgias

Tension Type Headache
   339.10  Tension-type headache, unspecified
   339.11  Episodic tension-type headache 
   339.12  Chronic tension-type headache 

   307.81  Tension Headache

Post-traumatic Headache
   339.20  Posttraumatic headache, unspecified 
   339.21  Acute posttraumatic headache 
   339.22  Chronic posttraumatic headache 

   339.30  Drug-induced headache, not elsewhere classified

Complicated Headache Syndromes
   339.41  Hemicrania continua 
   339.42  New daily persistent headache 
   339.43  Primary thunderclap headache 
   339.44  Other complicated headache syndrome 

Other Specified Headache Syndromes
   339.81  Hypnic headache 
   339.82  Headache associated with sexual activity 
   339.83  Primary cough headache 
   339.84  Primary exertional headache 
   339.85  Primary stabbing headache 
   339.89  Other specified headache syndromes 

   784.0    Headache (Facial pain; Pain in head NOS)


Migraines:
Migraine with aura (Classical Migraine)
   346.00  Migraine with aura without mention of intractable 
             Migraine without mention of status Migrainosus
   346.01  Migraine with aura with intractable Migraine, so stated, 
             without mention of status migrainosus
   346.02  Migraine with aura without mention of intractable migraine 
             with status migrainosus
   346.03  Migraine with aura with intractable migraine, 
             so stated, with status migrainosus

Migraine without aura
   346.10  Migraine without aura without mention of intractable Migraine 
             without mention of status Migrainosus
   346.11  Migraine without aura with intractable Migraine, so stated, 
             without mention of  status migrainosus
   346.12  Migraine without aura without mention of intractable migraine 
             with status migrainosus
   346.13  Migraine without aura with intractable migraine, 
             so stated, with status migrainosus

Variants Of Migraine, not elsewhere classified
   346.20  Variants Of Migraine, not elsewhere classified without mention 
             of intractable Migraine without mention of status Migrainosus
   346.21  Variants Of Migraine, not elsewhere classified with intractable 
             Migraine, so stated, without mention of status migrainosus
   346.22  Variants Of Migraine, not elsewhere classified without mention 
             of intractable migraine with status migrainosus
   346.23  Variants Of Migraine, not elsewhere classified with intractable 
             migraine, so stated, with status migrainosus

346.3 Hemiplegic Migraine
      Please refer to FlashCode

Menstrual Migraine
   346.40  Menstrual Migraine without mention of intractable Migraine 
             without mention of status Migrainosus
   346.41  Menstrual Migraine with intractable Migraine, so stated, 
             without mention of status migrainosus
   346.42  Menstrual Migraine without mention of intractable migraine 
             with status migrainosus
   346.43 Menstrual Migraine with intractable migraine, so stated, 
             with status migrainosus

346.5 Persistent Migraine Aura Without Cerebral Infarction 
      Please refer to FlashCode

346.6 Persistent Migraine Aura With Cerebral Infarction 
      Please refer to FlashCode

Chronic Migraine Without Aura
   346.70  Chronic Migraine Without Aura without mention of 
             intractable Migraine without mention of status Migrainosus
   346.71  Chronic Migraine Without Aura with intractable Migraine, 
             so stated, without mention of status migrainosus
   346.72  Chronic Migraine Without Aura without mention of 
             intractable migraine with status migrainosus
   346.73  Chronic Migraine Without Aura with intractable migraine, 
             so stated, with status migrainosus

346.8 Other forms of migraine
      Please refer to FlashCode

346.9 Migraine, unspecified
      Please refer to FlashCode



EXTERNAL CAUSES OF INJURY: (The "E" Codes):
Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident Involving Collision With Other Vehicle
   E812.0   Motor Vehicle Collision w/ Another Vehicle (Injuring Driver)
   E812.1   Motor Vehicle Collision w/ Another Vehicle (Injuring Passenger)
   E812.7   Motor Vehicle Collision w/ Another Vehicle (Injuring Pedestrian)
   Please review the other vehicle accident codes at FlashCode

Accidental Fall On or From Stairs or Steps
   E880.0   Accidental Fall On Or From Escalator
   E880.1   Accidental Fall On Or From Sidewalk Curb
   E880.9   Accidental Fall On Or From Other Stairs Or Steps

Fall On Same Level From Slipping, Tripping, Or Stumbling  
   E885.9   Fall From Other Slipping, Tripping, Or Stumbling

Fall On Same Level From Collision, Pushing, Or Shoving, By or With Other Person   
   E886.0   Fall On Same Level From Collision, Pushing, or Shoving, In Sports 
   E886.9   Fall from collision of pedestrian with another pedestrian (conveyance)

Other And Unspecified Accidental Fall
   E888.0   Fall Resulting In Striking Against Sharp Object
   E888.1   Fall Resulting In Striking Against Other Object
   E888.8   Other Fall

   E916     Struck Accidently by Falling Object
   Please review other falling object codes at FlashCode

Striking Against Or Struck Accidentally By Objects Or Persons   
   E917.0   Striking Against Or Struck Accidentally By Objects
             or Persons In Sports 
   E917.7   Striking Against Or Struck Accidentally by Furniture
             with Subsequent Fall
   E917.8   Striking Against Or Struck Accidentally (Fall in Bathtub)

Overexertion And Strenuous And Repetitive Movements Or Loads
   E927.0  Overexertion From Sudden Strenuous Movement. 
             Sudden trauma from strenuous movement
   E927.1  Overexertion From Prolonged Static Position
   E927.2  Excessive Physical Exertion From Prolonged Activity
   E927.3  Cumulative Trauma From Repetitive Motion
     
Late Effects Of Accidental Injury
   E929.0  Late Effects Of Motor Vehicle Accident 
   E929.3  Late Effects Of Accidental Fall

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Since 5-01-97

Updated 4-07-2016