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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code S81.009

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S81.009

Unspecified open wound, unspecified knee

ICD-10-CM Code:
S81.009
ICD-10 Code for:
Unspecified open wound, unspecified 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)

S81.009 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, unspecified 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.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like S81.009 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, unspecified knee

Non-specific codes like S81.009 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, unspecified knee:

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

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

  • Use S81.009S 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:

  • Comminuted fracture of patella
  • Fracture dislocation of patellofemoral joint
  • Fracture dislocation of patellofemoral joint
  • Fracture subluxation of knee joint
  • Fracture subluxation of knee joint
  • Fracture subluxation of patellofemoral joint
  • Glass in knee
  • Lateral patellofemoral dislocation
  • Lateral patellofemoral dislocation
  • Open anterior dislocation of distal end of femur
  • Open anterior dislocation of proximal end of tibia
  • Open dislocation of knee
  • Open dislocation of patella
  • Open division anterior cruciate ligament knee
  • Open division lateral collateral ligament knee
  • Open division ligament knee
  • Open division medial collateral ligament knee
  • Open division posterior cruciate ligament knee
  • Open fracture dislocation of knee joint
  • Open fracture dislocation of knee joint
  • Open fracture dislocation of knee joint
  • Open fracture dislocation of knee joint
  • Open fracture dislocation of patellofemoral joint
  • Open fracture dislocation of patellofemoral joint
  • Open fracture of bone of knee joint
  • Open fracture of patella
  • Open fracture of patella
  • Open fracture of patella
  • Open fracture of patella
  • Open fracture of patella
  • Open fracture of patella
  • Open fracture patella, comminuted
  • Open fracture patella, distal pole
  • Open fracture patella, proximal pole
  • Open fracture patella, transverse
  • Open fracture patella, vertical
  • Open fracture subluxation of knee joint
  • Open fracture subluxation of patellofemoral joint
  • Open lateral dislocation of proximal end of tibia
  • Open medial dislocation of proximal end of tibia
  • Open posterior dislocation of distal end of femur
  • Open posterior dislocation of proximal end of tibia
  • Open traumatic dislocation knee joint, anterior
  • Open traumatic dislocation knee joint, anterior
  • Open traumatic dislocation knee joint, anterior
  • Open traumatic dislocation knee joint, anterior
  • Open traumatic dislocation knee joint, lateral
  • Open traumatic dislocation knee joint, lateral
  • Open traumatic dislocation knee joint, lateral
  • Open traumatic dislocation knee joint, medial
  • Open traumatic dislocation knee joint, medial
  • Open traumatic dislocation knee joint, medial
  • Open traumatic dislocation knee joint, posterior
  • Open traumatic dislocation knee joint, posterior
  • Open traumatic dislocation knee joint, posterior
  • Open traumatic dislocation knee joint, posterior
  • Open traumatic dislocation knee joint, rotatory
  • Open traumatic dislocation of patellofemoral joint
  • Open traumatic dislocation of patellofemoral joint
  • Open traumatic dislocation of patellofemoral joint
  • Open traumatic dislocation of patellofemoral joint
  • Open traumatic dislocation of patellofemoral joint
  • Open traumatic dislocation of patellofemoral joint
  • Open traumatic dislocation patellofemoral joint, lateral
  • Open traumatic dislocation patellofemoral joint, lateral
  • Open traumatic dislocation patellofemoral joint, medial
  • Open traumatic dislocation patellofemoral joint, medial
  • Open traumatic dislocation, head of fibula
  • Open traumatic dislocation, head of fibula
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint, anterior
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint, lateral
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint, medial
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint, posterior
  • Open traumatic subluxation knee joint, rotatory
  • Open traumatic subluxation patellofemoral joint
  • Open traumatic subluxation patellofemoral joint
  • Open traumatic subluxation patellofemoral joint, lateral
  • Open traumatic subluxation patellofemoral joint, medial
  • Open traumatic subluxation, head of fibula
  • Open wound of knee
  • Open wound of knee with complication
  • Open wound of knee without complication
  • Open wound of lower limb without complication

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.