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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS81.04

S81.04

Billable

Puncture wound with foreign body of knee

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S81.04 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of puncture wound with foreign body of knee.

Key Diagnostic Point:

A puncture wound with a foreign body of the knee refers to an injury where a sharp object penetrates the skin and underlying tissues of the knee joint, potentially introducing foreign material into the area. This type of injury can occur due to various incidents, such as falls, accidents involving sharp objects, or sports injuries. The presence of a foreign body can complicate the healing process, leading to infection, inflammation, or further damage to the knee structures, including ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Clinically, patients may present with localized pain, swelling, and limited range of motion. Diagnosis typically involves a thorough physical examination and imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRI, to assess for foreign bodies and associated injuries. Treatment may require surgical intervention to remove the foreign body and repair any damaged structures, followed by rehabilitation to restore function. Proper coding is essential to capture the complexity of the injury and the associated treatment.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Presence of foreign body complicates treatment and coding.
  • Potential for associated injuries (ligament tears, fractures).
  • Variability in documentation quality among providers.
  • Need for precise anatomical localization in coding.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the foreign body type and location.
  • Failure to document associated injuries or complications.
  • Misclassification of the injury type (e.g., puncture vs. laceration).
  • Lack of clarity in treatment plans and follow-up care.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Orthopedic Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed operative notes describing the procedure, foreign body removal, and any repairs performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Surgical intervention for foreign body removal, repair of associated ligament injuries, and post-operative rehabilitation.

Billing Considerations

Ensure accurate documentation of the foreign body type and any complications encountered during surgery.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive assessment notes including mechanism of injury, initial treatment provided, and any imaging results.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Initial evaluation and stabilization of patients with puncture wounds, including foreign body assessment.

Billing Considerations

Document the patient's vital signs and any immediate interventions performed to support coding.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S81.04 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, S81
  • 04 should be used when a puncture wound with a foreign body is specifically documented
  • Coders must ensure that the documentation supports the diagnosis and includes details about the foreign body and any associated injuries

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S81.04 When
  • Exclusions include cases where the foreign body is not present or where the injury is classified differently

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

20680CPT Code

Arthrocentesis, knee

Clinical Scenario

Used for aspiration of fluid or injection of medication in the knee joint.

Documentation Requirements

Document the indication for the procedure and any findings during the aspiration.

Specialty Considerations

Orthopedic specialists should ensure that the procedure is justified based on clinical findings.

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 puncture wounds with foreign bodies. This specificity aids in better tracking of injury types and treatment outcomes, ultimately improving patient care and reimbursement processes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including puncture wounds with foreign bodies. This specificity aids in better tracking of injury types and treatment outcomes, ultimately improving patient care and reimbursement processes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes.

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 is the difference between S81.04 and S81.03?

S81.04 is used when there is a puncture wound with a foreign body present, while S81.03 is for a puncture wound without any foreign body. Accurate documentation is crucial to determine which code to use.