The ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) is a standardized system that assigns codes to medical diagnoses. This standardization improves the accuracy, maintenance, analysis, and sharing of health data.
These codes make it easier to:
- Store and find patient information across hospital systems
- Accurately process insurance benefits and medical billing
- Improve quality of care through consistent symptom tracking
- Support international health research
ICD-10 Codes
The ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) is a standardized system that assigns codes to medical diagnoses. This standardization improves the accuracy, maintenance, analysis, and sharing of health data.
These codes make it easier to:
- Store and find patient information across hospital systems
- Accurately process insurance benefits and medical billing
- Improve quality of care through consistent symptom tracking
- Support international health research
How ICD-10 Codes Work
All ICD-10 codes start with a letter and include at least 4 characters.
Each body system has its own set of codes, usually starting with a specific letter.
Example
- G = Diseases of the nervous system (including the autonomic nervous system)
- K = Diseases of the digestive system
- L = Diseases of the skin
- M = Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
- N = Diseases of the genitourinary system
Some codes are broad, such as joint pain (M25.5), muscle pain (M79.10), or nerve pain (M79.2).
These categories often include more specific subcodes to better describe a person’s symptoms.
Example
A provider might use the following codes for someone with hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) who is experiencing joint pain, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, and constipation:
- G90.A = Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and postural hypotension
- K59.01 = Slow transit constipation
- M25.56 = Joint pain in knees
- M35.7 = Hypermobility syndrome and familial ligament laxity
- M70.871 = Soft tissue disorders due to overuse or pressure in the right ankle and foot
All ICD-10 codes start with a letter and include at least 4 characters.
Each body system has its own set of codes, usually starting with a specific letter.
Example
- G = Diseases of the nervous system (including the autonomic nervous system)
- K = Diseases of the digestive system
- L = Diseases of the skin
- M = Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
- N = Diseases of the genitourinary system
Some codes are broad, such as joint pain (M25.5), muscle pain (M79.10), or nerve pain (M79.2).
These categories often include more specific subcodes to better describe a person’s symptoms.
Example
A provider might use the following codes for someone with hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) who is experiencing joint pain, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, and constipation:
- G90.A = Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and postural hypotension
- K59.01 = Slow transit constipation
- M25.56 = Joint pain in knees
- M35.7 = Hypermobility syndrome and familial ligament laxity
- M70.871 = Soft tissue disorders due to overuse or pressure in the right ankle and foot
National vs. International ICD-10 Systems
The World Health Organization (WHO) developed the international version of the ICD-10. Some countries use an adapted version of the ICD-10, including:
- ICD-10-CM – United States
- ICD-10-AM – Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, and others
- ICD-10-CA – Canada
- ICD-10-GM – Germany and Switzerland
- ICD-10-NL – Netherlands
- ICD-10-TM – Thailand
- ICD-10-CM – United States
- ICD-10-AM – Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, and others
- ICD-10-CA – Canada
- ICD-10-GM – Germany and Switzerland
- ICD-10-NL – Netherlands
- ICD-10-TM – Thailand
The ICD-10-CM stands for International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification. It is the U.S. adaptation of the WHO’s ICD-10, which includes more detailed, specific codes for medical conditions.
For example, while the international version uses a single code for all types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), the ICD-10-CM assigns separate codes to each type.
ICD-10 Codes for EDS and HSD
| Symptom or condition | World Health Organization (ICD-10) code | United States (ICD-10-CM) code |
| Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome | Q79.6 for all types of EDS | Q79.62 |
| Classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome | Q79.61 | |
| Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome | Q79.63 | |
| Other Ehlers-Danlos syndromes | Q79.69 | |
| Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, unspecified | Q79.60 | |
| Hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) | M35.7 (hypermobility syndrome)* | M35.7 (hypermobility syndrome)* |
| Pain in joint (arthralgia) | M25.5 | M25.5, a 5th character can be added to specify the joint (M25.50–M25.59) |
| *HSD does not have an official code in any of the ICD-10 coding systems. Healthcare providers often use the code M35.7 – hypermobility syndrome for people with HSD. While this code technically refers to hypermobility syndrome, it is often used for HSD as a practical workaround. These codes were identified through consultation with experienced clinicians across various specialties and regions. | ||
Other ICD-10 coding systems, apart from ICD-10-CM, use the same codes as the WHO ICD-10 for these diagnoses.
ICD-10 Codes for EDS and HSD
Symptom or condition: Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
World Health Organization (ICD-10) code: Q79.6 for all types of EDS
United States (ICD-10-CM) code: Q79.62
Symptom or condition: Classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
World Health Organization (ICD-10) code: Q79.6 for all types of EDS
United States (ICD-10-CM) code: Q79.61
Symptom or condition: Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
World Health Organization (ICD-10) code: Q79.6 for all types of EDS
World Health Organization (ICD-10) code: Q79.63
Symptom or condition: Other Ehlers-Danlos syndromes
World Health Organization (ICD-10) code: Q79.6 for all types of EDS
United States (ICD-10-CM) code: Q79.69
Symptom or condition: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, unspecified
World Health Organization (ICD-10) code: Q79.6 for all types of EDS
United States (ICD-10-CM) code: Q79.60
Symptom or condition: Hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD)
World Health Organization (ICD-10) code: M35.7 (hypermobility syndrome)*
United States (ICD-10-CM) code: M35.7 (hypermobility syndrome)*
Symptom or condition: Pain in joint (arthralgia)
World Health Organization (ICD-10) code: M25.5
United States (ICD-10-CM) code: M25.5, a 5th character can be added to specify the joint (M25.50–M25.59)
*HSD does not have an official code in any of the ICD-10 coding systems. Healthcare providers often use the code M35.7 – hypermobility syndrome for people with HSD. While this code technically refers to hypermobility syndrome, it is often used for HSD as a practical workaround. These codes were identified through consultation with experienced clinicians across various specialties and regions.
Other ICD-10 coding systems, apart from ICD-10-CM, use the same codes as the WHO ICD-10 for these diagnoses.
ICD-11 Codes
The ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision) is the WHO’s updated system designed to replace the ICD-10.
In 2018, the WHO stopped updating the ICD-10 to encourage adoption of the ICD-11. However, many countries are still transitioning due to technical, financial, or organizational challenges.
The ICD-11 is fully digital and publicly available online. This makes the system easier to access, use, and update. Anyone can look up ICD-11 codes to better understand their medical records.
ICD-11 Codes for EDS and HSD
| Symptom or condition | World Health Organization (ICD-11) codes |
| Classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome | LD28.10 |
| Other Ehlers-Danlos syndromes | LD28.1Y |
| Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, unspecified | LD28.1Z |
| Hypermobility spectrum disorder | LD28.1Z (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, unspecified)* |
| Pain in joint (arthralgia) | ME82 |
| *HSD does not have an official code in the ICD-11. Healthcare providers often use the code LD28.1Z – unspecified Ehlers-Danlos syndromes for people with HSD. While this code technically refers to unspecified EDS, it is often used for HSD as a practical workaround until HSD is formally recognized in the ICD-11 coding system. Alternatively, some providers may use codes to describe the symptoms of HSD, such as VV60 – hypermobility of joints and MG30.2 – chronic primary musculoskeletal pain. These codes were identified through consultation with experienced clinicians across various specialties and regions. | |
The Ehlers-Danlos Society has submitted a request to the WHO to revise the ICD-11 to include hEDS and HSD in the ICD-11.
ICD-11 Codes for EDS and HSD
Symptom or condition: Classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
World Health Organization (ICD-11) codes: LD28.10
Symptom or condition: Other Ehlers-Danlos syndromes
World Health Organization (ICD-11) codes: LD28.1Y
Symptom or condition: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, unspecified
World Health Organization (ICD-11) codes: LD28.1Z
Symptom or condition: Hypermobility spectrum disorder
World Health Organization (ICD-11) codes: LD28.1Z (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, unspecified)*
Symptom or condition: Pain in joint (arthralgia)
World Health Organization (ICD-11) codes: ME82
*HSD does not have an official code in the ICD-11. Healthcare providers often use the code LD28.1Z – unspecified Ehlers-Danlos syndromes for people with HSD. While this code technically refers to unspecified EDS, it is often used for HSD as a practical workaround until HSD is formally recognized in the ICD-11 coding system. Alternatively, some providers may use codes to describe the symptoms of HSD, such as VV60 – hypermobility of joints and MG30.2 – chronic primary musculoskeletal pain. These codes were identified through consultation with experienced clinicians across various specialties and regions.
The Ehlers-Danlos Society has submitted a request to the WHO to revise the ICD-11 to include hEDS and HSD in the ICD-11.
