What does ICD-10 code M46.3 mean?

ICD-10 code M46.3 is the standardized code used for infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic) in medical records and coding systems.

When is ICD-10 code M46.3 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code M46.3 when recording infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic) in a standardized format. This entry may also act as a broader category that points toward more specific child codes.

Does ICD-10 code M46.3 confirm a diagnosis?

No. A code helps standardize documentation and claims, but it should not be read as a substitute for a clinician's full assessment.

ICD10

ICD-10 Code M46.3: Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic)

Name: ICD-10 Code M46.3: Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic)
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T06:22:02.131Z

M46.3 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic). You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen. ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99).

When is it used?

May be used when a clinician documents infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic) in a patient's medical record.
May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.

What it does not mean

A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.

Code hierarchy

chapter

13Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)

block

M40-M54Dorsopathies

block

M45-M49Spondylopathies

Official coding notes

Applicable to

code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent.

Use additional code

code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent.

Where you may see this code

You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.

Related specialists

Orthopedic SpecialistRheumatologistInfectious Disease Specialist

Sibling codes

M46.0Spinal enthesopathy M46.1Sacroiliitis, not elsewhere classifiedbillable M46.2Osteomyelitis of vertebra M46.4Discitis, unspecified M46.5Other infective spondylopathies M46.8Other specified inflammatory spondylopathies M46.9Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.

Legacy codes

M46.3

Replacement codes

M46.30 — Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), site unspecifiedM46.31 — Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), occipito-atlanto-axial regionM46.32 — Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), cervical regionM46.33 — Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), cervicothoracic regionM46.34 — Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), thoracic regionM46.35 — Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), thoracolumbar regionM46.36 — Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), lumbar regionM46.37 — Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), lumbosacral regionM46.38 — Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), sacral and sacrococcygeal regionM46.39 — Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), multiple sites in spine

Common synonyms

Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic)Infection of intervertebral discInfection of intervertebral disc pyogenic

Frequently asked questions

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.