Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S81.0

Open wound of knee

ICD-10-CM Code:
S81.0
ICD-10 Code for:
Open wound of knee
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)

S81.0 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of open wound of knee. 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.

Specific Coding Applicable to Open wound of knee

Non-specific codes like S81.0 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 open wound of knee:

  • S81.00 for Unspecified open wound of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.001 for Unspecified open wound, right knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.001A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.001D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.001S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.002 for Unspecified open wound, left knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.002A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.002D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.002S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.009 for Unspecified open wound, unspecified knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.009A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.009D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.009S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.01 for Laceration without foreign body of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.011 for Laceration without foreign body, right knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.011A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.011D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.011S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.012 for Laceration without foreign body, left knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.012A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.012D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.012S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.019 for Laceration without foreign body, unspecified knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.019A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.019D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.019S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.02 for Laceration with foreign body of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.021 for Laceration with foreign body, right knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.021A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.021D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.021S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.022 for Laceration with foreign body, left knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.022A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.022D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.022S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.029 for Laceration with foreign body, unspecified knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.029A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.029D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.029S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.03 for Puncture wound without foreign body of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.031 for Puncture wound without foreign body, right knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.031A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.031D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.031S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.032 for Puncture wound without foreign body, left knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.032A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.032D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.032S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.039 for Puncture wound without foreign body, unspecified knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.039A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.039D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.039S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.04 for Puncture wound with foreign body of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.041 for Puncture wound with foreign body, right knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.041A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.041D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.041S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.042 for Puncture wound with foreign body, left knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.042A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.042D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.042S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.049 for Puncture wound with foreign body, unspecified knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.049A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.049D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.049S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.05 for Open bite of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.051 for Open bite, right knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.051A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.051D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.051S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.052 for Open bite, left knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.052A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.052D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.052S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S81.059 for Open bite, unspecified knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.059A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.059D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S81.059S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

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


Knee Injuries and Disorders

Your knee joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid. Muscles and tendons help the knee joint move. When any of these structures is hurt or diseased, you have knee problems. Knee problems can cause pain and difficulty walking.

Knee problems are very common, and they occur in people of all ages. Knee problems can interfere with many things, from participation in sports to simply getting up from a chair and walking. This can have a big impact on your life.

The most common disease affecting the knee is osteoarthritis. The cartilage in the knee gradually wears away, causing pain and swelling.

Injuries to ligaments and tendons also cause knee problems. A common injury is to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). You usually injure your ACL by a sudden twisting motion. ACL and other knee injuries are common sports injuries.

Treatment of knee problems depends on the cause. In some cases your doctor may recommend knee replacement.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

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.