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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS61.122

S61.122

Billable

Laceration with foreign body of left thumb with damage to nail

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/24/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 S61.122 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of laceration with foreign body of left thumb with damage to nail.

Key Diagnostic Point:

S61.122 refers to a specific type of injury characterized by a laceration of the left thumb that includes a foreign body and damage to the nail. This condition often arises from accidents involving sharp objects, machinery, or falls. The presence of a foreign body complicates the injury, as it may lead to infection or further tissue damage if not properly addressed. Clinically, the patient may present with pain, swelling, and bleeding at the site of injury. The nail may exhibit signs of trauma, such as discoloration, detachment, or fracture. Treatment typically involves thorough cleaning of the wound, removal of the foreign body, and possible surgical intervention to repair the nail bed or surrounding structures. The complexity of this injury necessitates careful assessment of associated structures, including tendons and nerves, to prevent long-term functional impairment. Proper documentation is crucial to ensure accurate coding and reimbursement, as well as to facilitate appropriate treatment planning.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Presence of a foreign body complicates the injury.
  • Potential for associated tendon or nerve damage.
  • Need for detailed documentation of the injury's extent.
  • Variability in treatment approaches based on injury severity.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the foreign body.
  • Failure to note associated injuries (e.g., tendon or nerve damage).
  • Misclassification of the injury severity.
  • Lack of clarity in treatment notes.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Orthopedic Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed operative notes including the extent of laceration, foreign body removal, and any repairs performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Injuries from machinery, sports injuries, or accidents involving sharp objects.

Billing Considerations

Ensure documentation reflects any nerve or tendon involvement for accurate coding.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive assessment notes including mechanism of injury, initial treatment, and follow-up care.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Acute presentations of hand injuries in the emergency department.

Billing Considerations

Document all findings and treatments to support coding for complex injuries.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S61.122 When
  • Follow the ICD
  • CM guidelines for coding injuries, ensuring specificity in the documentation of the laceration, foreign body, and any associated injuries
  • Include details on the mechanism of injury and treatment provided

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S61.122 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12001CPT Code

Simple repair of superficial wounds

Clinical Scenario

Used for repair of the laceration after foreign body removal.

Documentation Requirements

Document the size of the wound and the method of repair.

Specialty Considerations

Orthopedic surgeons may perform more complex repairs if tendon involvement is noted.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 allows for greater specificity in coding injuries, which can improve patient care and reimbursement accuracy. S61.122 captures the complexity of injuries involving foreign bodies, which was less detailed in ICD-9.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 allows for greater specificity in coding injuries, which can improve patient care and reimbursement accuracy. S61.122 captures the complexity of injuries involving foreign bodies, which was less detailed in ICD-9.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement accuracy. S61.122 captures the complexity of injuries involving foreign bodies, which was less detailed in ICD-9.

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 for a laceration with a foreign body?

Document the mechanism of injury, the size and depth of the laceration, the type of foreign body, any associated injuries, and the treatment provided.