Spinal enthesopathy, lumbosacral region

This diagnosis code signifies inflammation, degeneration, or other pathology affecting the entheses (sites where tendons, ligaments, or joint capsules attach to bone) within the lumbosacral spine. It indicates a localized inflammatory process at these attachment points, often leading to pain and stiffness in the lower back.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states "spinal enthesopathy" or a similar condition affecting the lumbosacral region. This is appropriate for conditions like spondyloarthropathies (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis) where enthesitis is a prominent feature in the lower spine. Documentation should clearly specify the lumbosacral area.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "lumbosacral region" to support the 7th character. If a more specific spinal region is documented, a different M46.0 subcategory would be appropriate.
• Do not confuse with general back pain (M54.5-) or other specific spinal conditions like spondylosis (M47.-) unless enthesopathy is also explicitly diagnosed.
• Consider sequencing this code as a primary diagnosis if it is the main reason for the encounter, or as a secondary diagnosis if it is a manifestation of a systemic inflammatory condition.