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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS81.022

S81.022

Billable

Laceration with foreign body, left knee

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/26/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 S81.022 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of laceration with foreign body, left knee.

Key Diagnostic Point:

S81.022 refers to a laceration of the left knee that is complicated by the presence of a foreign body. This condition typically arises from traumatic injuries, such as falls, sports injuries, or accidents, where sharp objects penetrate the skin and underlying tissues. The knee joint is a complex structure composed of bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage, making it susceptible to various injuries. In cases of laceration, the foreign body can lead to additional complications, including infection, delayed healing, and damage to surrounding structures such as ligaments or cartilage. Proper assessment and management are crucial, often requiring imaging studies to evaluate the extent of the injury and the location of the foreign body. Treatment may involve surgical intervention to remove the foreign object, repair the laceration, and address any associated injuries, such as ligament tears or fractures of the tibia or fibula. The presence of a foreign body necessitates careful monitoring for signs of infection and may require follow-up care to ensure optimal healing.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Presence of foreign body complicates the injury
  • Potential for associated injuries (ligament tears, fractures)
  • Need for surgical intervention and detailed operative reports
  • Variability in documentation quality among providers

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the foreign body type and location
  • Failure to document associated injuries (e.g., fractures, ligament tears)
  • Lack of clarity in operative reports regarding the removal of the foreign body
  • Inconsistent coding practices among different providers

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Orthopedic Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed operative reports, imaging studies, and follow-up notes are essential to document the extent of the injury and treatment provided.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Common scenarios include sports injuries, falls, and accidents leading to knee lacerations with foreign bodies.

Billing Considerations

Orthopedic surgeons must document any associated ligament injuries or fractures to ensure accurate coding.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Thorough documentation of the mechanism of injury, initial assessment, and any immediate interventions performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with acute knee injuries from trauma, including lacerations with foreign bodies.

Billing Considerations

Emergency physicians should ensure that all relevant details are captured to support the complexity of the injury.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S81.022 When
  • According to ICD
  • CM guidelines, S81
  • 022 should be used when a laceration of the left knee is documented with a foreign body present
  • Coders must ensure that the documentation specifies the foreign body and any associated injuries

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S81.022 When
  • Exclusion criteria include lacerations without foreign bodies or those affecting other parts of the knee

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12002CPT Code

Simple repair of laceration, face, ears, eyelids, scalp; 2.5 cm or less

Clinical Scenario

Used when performing a simple repair of a laceration with foreign body removal.

Documentation Requirements

Document the size of the laceration and the presence of the foreign body.

Specialty Considerations

Orthopedic surgeons should ensure that the repair technique is clearly documented.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including those with foreign bodies. This specificity helps in better tracking of injury types and outcomes, leading to improved patient care and resource allocation.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including those with foreign bodies. This specificity helps in better tracking of injury types and outcomes, leading to improved patient care and resource allocation.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I document to support the use of S81.022?

You should document the mechanism of injury, the type and location of the foreign body, any associated injuries, and the treatment provided, including any surgical interventions.