---
title: "ICD-10-CM M54.42: Lumbago with sciatica, left side | BillingBrief"
description: "M54.42 is low back pain (lumbago) with sciatica, pain along the sciatic nerve, on the left side. If only the sciatica is documented, without low back pain…"
canonical: "https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.42/"
language: "en"
---

# M54.42 Lumbago with sciatica, left side

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

M54.42 is low back pain (lumbago) with sciatica, pain along the sciatic nerve, on the left side. If only the sciatica is documented, without low back pain, use M54.32 instead.

## 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 discogenic back pain and lower extremity pain ([M51.362](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m51.362/))
-   intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region with discogenic back pain and lower extremity pain ([M51.372](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m51.372/))
-   lumbago with sciatica due to intervertebral disc disorder (M51.1-)
-   psychogenic dorsalgia (F45.41)
-   current injury - see injury of spine by body region
-   discitis NOS (M46.4-)

## Related codes

-   [`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/)
-   [`M54.50` Low back pain, unspecified ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.50/)
-   [`M54.51` Vertebrogenic low back pain ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.51/)
-   [`M54.59` Other low back pain ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.59/)
-   [`M54.6` Pain in thoracic spine ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.6/)

## Common questions

### Is M54.42 a billable code?

Yes. M54.42 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/).