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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS81.811

S81.811

Billable

Laceration without foreign body, right lower leg

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S81.811 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of laceration without foreign body, right lower leg.

Key Diagnostic Point:

S81.811 refers to a laceration of the right lower leg that does not involve any foreign body. This injury typically occurs due to trauma, such as falls, accidents, or sharp objects. The right lower leg encompasses the area from the knee to the ankle, including the tibia and fibula. Lacerations can vary in depth and severity, potentially affecting the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and even deeper structures like muscles and tendons. In cases where the laceration is deep, there may be a risk of complications such as infection, delayed healing, or damage to underlying structures. Proper assessment and management are crucial, including cleaning the wound, suturing if necessary, and monitoring for signs of infection. In the context of knee injuries, tibial or fibular fractures, and ligament tears, it is essential to differentiate between a simple laceration and more complex injuries that may require orthopedic intervention. This code is vital for accurately capturing the nature of the injury for treatment planning and insurance reimbursement.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Differentiating between lacerations and other types of injuries (e.g., fractures, contusions)
  • Assessing the depth and extent of the laceration
  • Determining the need for surgical intervention or repair
  • Documenting associated injuries (e.g., ligament tears, fractures)

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the injury mechanism
  • Failure to specify the depth of the laceration
  • Not documenting associated injuries or complications
  • Incorrect coding of the injury site

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Orthopedic Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed descriptions of the injury, treatment provided, and any surgical interventions performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Lacerations associated with fractures, ligament injuries, or surgical repairs.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all associated injuries are documented to support the coding of multiple conditions.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Thorough documentation of the mechanism of injury, initial assessment, and treatment provided in the emergency setting.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with traumatic lacerations requiring immediate care.

Billing Considerations

Accurate coding of the injury site and any immediate interventions performed.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S81.811 When
  • Follow official coding guidelines for lacerations, ensuring that the injury is documented accurately
  • Include details about the mechanism of injury, depth, and any associated injuries

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S81.811 When
  • Exclude codes for lacerations with foreign bodies or those that are not specific to the right lower leg

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12002CPT Code

Simple repair of a laceration, face, ears, eyelids, scalp; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm

Clinical Scenario

Used when a laceration on the right lower leg requires simple closure.

Documentation Requirements

Document the size and location of the laceration, as well as the repair technique used.

Specialty Considerations

Orthopedic surgeons may perform more complex repairs if associated injuries are present.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of lacerations, improving the accuracy of injury documentation and treatment planning. S81.811 provides a clear distinction for lacerations without foreign bodies, which aids in clinical decision-making.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of lacerations, improving the accuracy of injury documentation and treatment planning. S81.811 provides a clear distinction for lacerations without foreign bodies, which aids in clinical decision-making.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of lacerations, improving the accuracy of injury documentation and treatment planning. S81.811 provides a clear distinction for lacerations without foreign bodies, which aids in clinical decision-making.

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 S81.811 and S81.812?

S81.811 is used for lacerations without foreign bodies, while S81.812 is for lacerations that involve a foreign body. Accurate documentation is essential to determine which code to use.