ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code
M21.869Other specified acquired deformities of unspecified lower leg
M21.869 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for other specified acquired deformities of unspecified lower leg. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.Short description: Oth acquired deformities of unspecified lower leg
Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data
About M21.869
M21.869 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other specified acquired deformities of unspecified lower leg. It belongs to category M21 (other acquired deformities of limbs), block M20-M25 (other joint disorders) and chapter 13 (diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Within M21.86, choose M21.869 (unspecified lower leg) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: right lower leg (M21.861) and left lower leg (M21.862).
It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 564 (Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with MCC, relative weight 1.4908), DRG 565 (Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with CC, relative weight 0.9783) and DRG 566 (Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.7378), in MDC 08 (Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.
Before ICD-10, this condition was coded in ICD-9-CM as 736.6 (other acquired deformities of knee).
Notes that apply from higher levels
Instructions written at a parent level also apply to M21.869.
› From M21.8 Other specified acquired deformities of limbs
- coxa plana (M91.2)
Broader instructions also apply from M20-M25 Other joint disorders and Chapter 13: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue.
MS-DRG v44.0 grouping
All DRGs →Inpatient MS-DRGs this diagnosis can group to, as the principal or a secondary diagnosis, depending on the rest of the claim.
MDC 08 · Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue
ICD-9-CM equivalent
Converter →- 736.6Other acquired deformities of kneeapproximate
From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.
Code history
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
- 2027
- FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
- No changes since FY2016.
Common questions about M21.869
Is M21.869 billable?
- Yes. M21.869 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can M21.869 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict M21.869 as a principal diagnosis.
Is M21.869 a CC or MCC?
- No. M21.869 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.
What DRG does M21.869 group to?
- M21.869 is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 564 (Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with MCC), MS-DRG 565 (Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with CC) and MS-DRG 566 (Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses without CC/MCC). Which one applies depends on whether it is the principal diagnosis and on the rest of the claim.
What is the ICD-9 code for M21.869?
- The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map M21.869 to ICD-9-CM 736.6.