M54.16 — Radiculopathy, lumbar region
M54.16

What this code means
Lumbar radiculopathy is pain, numbness or weakness down the leg from a pinched nerve root in the lower back (sciatica-type pain).
Also called: lumbar radiculopathy, sciatica nerve root.
When this code is used
Used for radiculopathy, lumbar region.
Where it sits in ICD-10-CM
Code M54.16 belongs to Chapter 13: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, which covers codes M00–M99 in the FY2027 ICD-10-CM tabular list. The official description above is copied verbatim from the CDC/NCHS FY2027 code file.
Related symptoms
Frequently asked questions
What is ICD-10-CM code M54.16?
M54.16 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for “Radiculopathy, lumbar region”. Lumbar radiculopathy is pain, numbness or weakness down the leg from a pinched nerve root in the lower back (sciatica-type pain).
When is code M54.16 used?
Used for radiculopathy, lumbar region. It belongs to Chapter 13 of ICD-10-CM (Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue).
This guide explains ICD-10-CM codes in plain language for patients, students and other readers. It is educational information only — not coding, billing or medical advice. The code recorded for any real encounter is assigned from the full clinical documentation by the treating team and qualified coders, and only they can decide which code fits a specific case.