ICD-10 Code M48.4: Fatigue fracture of vertebra
M48.4 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Fatigue fracture of vertebra. 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).
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 fatigue fracture of vertebra 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
Official coding notes
- Stress fracture of vertebra
- pathological fracture NOS (M84.4-)
- pathological fracture of vertebra due to neoplasm (M84.58)
- pathological fracture of vertebra due to other diagnosis (M84.68)
- pathological fracture of vertebra due to osteoporosis (M80.-)
- traumatic fracture of vertebrae (S12.0-S12.3-, S22.0-, S32.0-)
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from subcategory M48.4:
- initial encounter for fracture
- subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
- subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
- sequela of fracture
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
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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.