ICD-10 Guide

Abscess Of Foot

ICD-10 Coding for Abscess of Foot(L02.611, L02.612)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYPodiatry

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Abscess Of Foot?

An abscess of the foot is a localized collection of pus within the tissues of the foot, often resulting from bacterial infection. It can occur in various structures, including the skin, subcutaneous tissue, or deeper tissues. Key clinical points include: 1) Commonly caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria; 2) Risk factors include diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and trauma; 3) Clinical presentation often includes localized pain, swelling, redness, and warmth; 4) May be associated with systemic symptoms like fever in severe cases. Typical use cases for this diagnosis code include patients presenting with foot pain and swelling after a puncture wound or those with chronic foot ulcers. The pathophysiology involves the body's immune response to infection, leading to the accumulation of pus, which can cause tissue destruction if not treated promptly. Clinical presentation typically includes tenderness, fluctuance, and possible drainage of purulent material upon examination.

Key Clinical Considerations:

Diagnosis requires clinical evidence of localized swelling, tenderness, and fluctuance in the foot.
Signs include erythema, warmth, and possible drainage; symptoms may involve pain and fever.
Resolution criteria include complete resolution of symptoms and absence of pus upon examination.
Laboratory findings may include elevated white blood cell count and imaging may show fluid collection.

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Documentation must include detailed descriptions of the abscess location, size, and associated symptoms.
Compliant documentation: 'Abscess located on the plantar aspect of the foot, 2 cm in diameter, with purulent drainage.' Non-compliant: 'Foot pain.'
Template phrases include: 'Patient presents with an abscess on the foot, characterized by [specific findings].'
Medical necessity documentation should justify the need for drainage or surgical intervention.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Use L02.611 for an abscess of the right foot and L02.612 for the left foot; examples include abscesses following insect bites or surgical wounds.
Do NOT use this code for cellulitis or other non-abscess infections of the foot.
Correct usage: 'Patient diagnosed with L02.611 due to abscess on the right foot.' Incorrect: 'Patient with foot pain, unspecified.'
Common errors include misclassifying abscesses as cellulitis; ensure accurate clinical assessment.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Excluded conditions include diabetic foot ulcers (E11.621) and non-infectious foot lesions.
Alternative codes for excluded conditions should be used based on clinical findings.
Common exclusion errors involve misclassifying diabetic ulcers as abscesses; ensure clear documentation.
Certain conditions are excluded to maintain specificity in coding and avoid reimbursement issues.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Podiatry

Specialty Applications

This diagnosis applies to patients with localized foot infections, particularly those with risk factors.
Appropriate in clinical scenarios involving trauma, diabetes, or immunocompromised states.
Applicable in both outpatient and inpatient settings, especially in podiatry and emergency departments.
Specialty considerations include the need for surgical intervention in severe cases.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

Comprehensive clinical documentation
Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
Proper exclusion considerations
Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template: 'Abscess diagnosed based on clinical findings of localized swelling and drainage.'

Template 2

Template: 'Patient presents with pain and swelling consistent with an abscess on the foot.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria met: localized tenderness and fluctuance observed.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan includes incision and drainage for the abscess on the foot.'

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Ensure proper documentation for billing
Verify code specificity requirements
Check for any additional codes needed
Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

Insufficient clinical documentation
Incorrect code selection
Missing supporting diagnoses
Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this code?

Detailed documentation of the abscess location, size, and symptoms is required.

When should this code be used vs similar codes?

Use this code for abscesses specifically; for cellulitis, use L03.031.

What are common billing issues with this code?

Reimbursement may be denied if documentation does not support the diagnosis.

What procedures are commonly associated?

Related CPT codes include incision and drainage (CPT 10060).

What is Abscess Of Foot?

Key Clinical Considerations:

Diagnosis requires clinical evidence of localized swelling, tenderness, and fluctuance in the foot.
Signs include erythema, warmth, and possible drainage; symptoms may involve pain and fever.
Resolution criteria include complete resolution of symptoms and absence of pus upon examination.
Laboratory findings may include elevated white blood cell count and imaging may show fluid collection.

Abscess Of Foot

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template 2

Template 3

Template 4

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this code?

When should this code be used vs similar codes?

What are common billing issues with this code?

What procedures are commonly associated?

Abscess Of Foot

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template 2

Template 3

Template 4

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this code?

When should this code be used vs similar codes?

What are common billing issues with this code?

What procedures are commonly associated?