M46.56

Billable

Other infective spondylopathies, lumbar region

HCC Category Mapping

V24HCC 40 — Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Connective Tissue Disease

0.307

ESRDHCC 40 — Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Connective Tissue Disease

0.000

What This Code Means

A spinal infection in the lower back (lumbar region) that affects the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, potentially causing pain and neurological symptoms.

Coding Tips

•This is a common site for spinal infections; document causative organism when available
•Differentiate from degenerative disc disease by confirming acute infectious process

Clinical Significance

Non-pyogenic lumbar spine infections represent uncommon conditions that require specialized antimicrobial therapy and prolonged treatment courses. The lumbar location's mechanical stress may complicate healing and require extended activity restrictions and monitoring.

Documentation Requirements

✓Lumbar spine location (L1-L5)
✓Non-bacterial infectious organism confirmation
✓Lumbar spine MRI demonstrating infection
✓Functional assessment and mobility limitations
✓Immunocompromised status documentation
✓Specialized culture or diagnostic results
✓Response to targeted antimicrobial therapy
✓Lumbar alignment and stability evaluation

Commonly Confused Codes

M46.36 — Pyogenic lumbar discitis when bacterial etiology M46.57 — Lumbosacral region when involving L5-S1 M46.86 — Other inflammatory spondylopathies when non-infectious M54.5 — Low back pain when pain is primary without infection