2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S81.802

Unspecified open wound, left lower leg

ICD-10-CM Code:
S81.802
ICD-10 Code for:
Unspecified open wound, left lower leg
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the knee and lower leg
      (S80-S89)
      • Open wound of knee and lower leg
        (S81)

S81.802 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of unspecified open wound, left lower leg. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like S81.802 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Specific Coding Applicable to Unspecified open wound, left lower leg

Non-specific codes like S81.802 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for unspecified open wound, left lower leg:

  • Use S81.802A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.802D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.802S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Fracture of shaft of fibula
  • Fracture of shaft of tibia
  • Fracture of tibial spine
  • Open bicondylar fracture of upper end of left tibia
  • Open fracture intercondylar spine of tibia
  • Open fracture of distal end of left fibula
  • Open fracture of distal end of left fibula
  • Open fracture of distal end of left tibia
  • Open fracture of distal end of left tibia
  • Open fracture of intercondylar spine of left tibia
  • Open fracture of lateral plateau of left tibia
  • Open fracture of lateral plateau of left tibia
  • Open fracture of left ankle
  • Open fracture of left ankle
  • Open fracture of left ankle
  • Open fracture of left ankle
  • Open fracture of left ankle
  • Open fracture of left fibula
  • Open fracture of left fibula
  • Open fracture of left lateral malleolus of fibula
  • Open fracture of left lower leg
  • Open fracture of left lower leg
  • Open fracture of left lower leg
  • Open fracture of left lower leg
  • Open fracture of left lower leg
  • Open fracture of left tibia
  • Open fracture of left tibial plateau
  • Open fracture of left tibial plateau
  • Open fracture of medial condyle of left tibia
  • Open fracture of medial condyle of left tibia
  • Open fracture of medial malleolus of left tibia
  • Open fracture of proximal left fibula
  • Open fracture of shaft of left fibula
  • Open fracture of shaft of left tibia
  • Open fracture of tibial condyle
  • Open fracture of tibial plateau
  • Open fracture of tibial plateau
  • Open fracture of upper end of fibula
  • Open fracture of upper end of left tibia
  • Open fracture of upper end of left tibia
  • Open fracture of upper end of left tibia
  • Open fracture of upper end of left tibia
  • Open fracture of upper end of left tibia
  • Open fracture of upper end of left tibia
  • Open wound of left lower leg

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Open wound of knee and lower leg (S81). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Patient Education


Wounds and Injuries

An injury is damage to your body. It is a general term that refers to harm caused by accidents, falls, hits, weapons, and more. In the U.S., millions of people injure themselves every year. These injuries range from minor to life-threatening. Injuries can happen at work or play, indoors or outdoors, driving a car, or walking across the street.

Wounds are injuries that break the skin or other body tissues. They include cuts, scrapes, scratches, and punctured skin. They often happen because of an accident, but surgery, sutures, and stitches also cause wounds. Minor wounds usually aren't serious, but it is important to clean them. Serious and infected wounds may require first aid followed by a visit to your doctor. You should also seek attention if the wound is deep, you cannot close it yourself, you cannot stop the bleeding or get the dirt out, or it does not heal.

Other common types of injuries include:

  • Animal bites
  • Bruises
  • Burns
  • Dislocations
  • Electrical injuries
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Sprains and strains

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.