---
title: "ICD-10-CM M54.30: Sciatica, unspecified side | BillingBrief"
description: "M54.30 is sciatica, pain along the sciatic nerve, when the record doesn't say which side. If the side is documented, use M54.31 (right) or M54.32 (left); if…"
canonical: "https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.30/"
language: "en"
---

# M54.30 Sciatica, unspecified side

ICD-10-CM · [CMS code reference](#source)

M54.30 is sciatica, pain along the sciatic nerve, when the record doesn't say which side. If the side is documented, use M54.31 (right) or M54.32 (left); if low back pain is documented with it, use M54.40.

## Coding notes

From the ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026) tabular list. Notes on a parent code or category apply here too.

### Excludes1

Not coded together with this code. The exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other.

-   intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region with lower extremity pain only ([M51.361](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m51.361/))
-   intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region with lower extremity pain only ([M51.371](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m51.371/))
-   lesion of sciatic nerve (G57.0)
-   sciatica due to intervertebral disc disorder (M51.1-)
-   sciatica with lumbago (M54.4-)
-   psychogenic dorsalgia (F45.41)
-   current injury - see injury of spine by body region
-   discitis NOS (M46.4-)

## Related codes

-   [`M54.16` Radiculopathy, lumbar region ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.16/)
-   [`M54.17` Radiculopathy, lumbosacral region ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.17/)
-   [`M54.18` Radiculopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.18/)
-   [`M54.2` Cervicalgia ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.2/)
-   [`M54.31` Sciatica, right side ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.31/)
-   [`M54.32` Sciatica, left side ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.32/)
-   [`M54.40` Lumbago with sciatica, unspecified side ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.40/)
-   [`M54.41` Lumbago with sciatica, right side ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.41/)

## Common questions

### What's the difference between M54.30 and M54.40?

M54.30 is sciatica alone. M54.40 is sciatica with low back pain (lumbago). Sciatica with lumbago (M54.4-) is an Excludes1 note on M54.30, so pick one: M54.40 when the low back pain is documented as well.

### Is M54.30 a billable code?

Yes. M54.30 is a billable ICD-10-CM code in the ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026) code set.

## From the source

Official description from [CMS](https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/icd-10-codes).
ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026).

Code set

ICD-10-CM

Category

M54 Dorsalgia

Chapter

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue

Billable

Yes

Educational reference only. Not medical, legal, or billing advice. Always check the current official code set and payer policy before you bill. [About BillingBrief and our sources](https://billingbrief.com/about/).