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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS81.822

S81.822

Billable

Laceration with foreign body, left lower leg

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S81.822 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of laceration with foreign body, left lower leg.

Key Diagnostic Point:

S81.822 refers to a laceration of the left lower leg that is complicated by the presence of a foreign body. This condition typically arises from traumatic injuries, such as falls, accidents, or penetrating injuries, where an object becomes embedded in the soft tissue of the leg. The left lower leg encompasses the area from the knee to the ankle, including the tibia and fibula. The presence of a foreign body can complicate the healing process, potentially leading to infection, delayed wound healing, or further tissue damage. Treatment often involves surgical intervention to remove the foreign body, thorough cleaning of the wound, and repair of any damaged tissues. In cases where the laceration is deep, orthopedic evaluation may be necessary to assess for associated injuries such as fractures or ligament tears. Proper documentation of the injury mechanism, foreign body characteristics, and treatment provided is essential for accurate coding and reimbursement.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Presence of a foreign body complicates the injury.
  • Potential for associated injuries such as fractures or ligament tears.
  • Variability in treatment approaches based on the foreign body's nature.
  • Need for detailed documentation to support the diagnosis.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the foreign body type and location.
  • Failure to document associated injuries such as fractures.
  • Lack of clarity in the mechanism of injury.
  • Improper coding of the laceration depth or complexity.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Orthopedic Surgery

Documentation Requirements

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

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with traumatic lacerations from sports injuries or accidents requiring surgical intervention.

Billing Considerations

Ensure all associated injuries are documented to support comprehensive coding.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

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

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with acute lacerations presenting to the emergency department for evaluation and treatment.

Billing Considerations

Accurate coding requires clear documentation of the injury's specifics and any foreign bodies identified.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S81.822 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 guidelines, S81
  • 822 should be used when a laceration with a foreign body is documented
  • Coders must ensure that the foreign body is specified and that the laceration's depth and complexity are accurately captured

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S81.822 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12002CPT Code

Simple repair of laceration, face, ears, eyelids, neck

Clinical Scenario

Used when a simple repair is performed on a laceration with foreign body.

Documentation Requirements

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

Specialty Considerations

Orthopedic surgeons may need to document additional details regarding the foreign body.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of lacerations, including those with foreign bodies, improving the accuracy of claims and facilitating better patient care tracking.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of lacerations, including those with foreign bodies, improving the accuracy of claims and facilitating better patient care tracking.

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 is the significance of coding S81.822?

Coding S81.822 accurately reflects the complexity of a laceration with a foreign body, which is crucial for appropriate treatment planning and reimbursement.