M43.3 Recurrent atlantoaxial dislocation with myelopathy

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026.

Applies from M43 Other deforming dorsopathies

Excludes1 (never code together)

• congenital spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis (Q76.2)
• hemivertebra (Q76.3-Q76.4)
• Klippel-Feil syndrome (Q76.1)
• lumbarization and sacralization (Q76.4)
• platyspondylisis (Q76.4)
• spina bifida occulta (Q76.0)
• spinal curvature in osteoporosis (M80.-)
• spinal curvature in Paget's disease of bone [osteitis deformans] (M88.-)

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 564-566 in MDC 08.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 718.38 Recurrent dislocation of joint, other specified sites (approximate)

Code annotations containing back-references to M43.3

Back-references to M43.3

• Type 2 Excludes: M24.4 Recurrent dislocation of joint ("recurrent vertebral dislocation (M43.3-, M43.4, M43.5-)")
• Type 1 Excludes: M47.1 Other spondylosis with myelopathy ("vertebral subluxation (M43.3-M43.5X9)")

Back-references to M43

• Type 2 Excludes: M95 Other acquired deformities of musculoskeletal system and connective tissue ("deforming dorsopathies (M40-M43)")

Diagnosis Index entries for M43.3

• Dislocation (articular) › recurrent › vertebra › atlantoaxial › with myelopathy
• Subluxation › atlantoaxial, recurrent › with myelopathy

Nearby codes

• M43.24 Fusion of spine, thoracic region
• M43.25 Fusion of spine, thoracolumbar region
• M43.26 Fusion of spine, lumbar region
• M43.27 Fusion of spine, lumbosacral region
• M43.28 Fusion of spine, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
• M43.3 Recurrent atlantoaxial dislocation with myelopathy (this code)
• M43.4 Other recurrent atlantoaxial dislocation
• M43.5 Other recurrent vertebral dislocation
• M43.5X Other recurrent vertebral dislocation
• M43.5X2 Other recurrent vertebral dislocation, cervical region
• M43.5X3 Other recurrent vertebral dislocation, cervicothoracic region