2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S81.839DPuncture wound without foreign body, unspecified lower leg, subsequent encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S80-S89›S81

ICD-10-CM S81.839D
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

S81.839D is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for puncture wound without foreign body, unspecified lower leg, subsequent encounter. The 7th character D marks it as a subsequent encounter code, used during routine care in the healing or recovery phase. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 949 through 950. The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Open wounds to limbs, subsequent encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S81.839D
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Puncture wound without foreign body, unspecified lower leg, subsequent encounter
Short Description
Puncture wound w/o foreign body, unsp lower leg, subs encntr
Parent Code
S81.839
Puncture wound without foreign body, unspecified lower leg

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS80-S89Injuries to the knee and lower leg
CategoryS81Open wound of knee and lower leg
This CodeS81.839DPuncture wound without foreign body, unspecified lower leg, subsequent encounter

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

S81.839D is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Gunshot wound of lower leg
  • Nail wound of calf
  • Nail wound of lower leg
  • Nail wound of shin
  • Needle stick injury of calf
  • Needle stick injury of lower leg
  • Needle stick injury of shin
  • Pellet wound of calf
  • Pellet wound of lower leg
  • Pellet wound of shin
  • Puncture wound of calf
  • Puncture wound of lower leg
  • Puncture wound of shin
  • Stab wound of calf
  • Stab wound of lower leg
  • Stab wound of shin

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

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 applicable episode of care:

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

Source: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR INJ049
Open wounds to limbs, subsequent encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

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.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert S81.839D to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
V58.89 Other specfied aftercare
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About S81.839DOverview

Is S81.839D (Puncture wound without foreign body, unspecified lower leg) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report puncture wound without foreign body, unspecified lower leg, subsequent encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character D in S81.839D mean?

The final character D marks a subsequent encounter: use it for routine care while the puncture wound without foreign body, unspecified lower leg is healing, after active treatment has ended.

What MS-DRG does S81.839D group to?

When puncture wound without foreign body, unspecified lower leg, subsequent encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 949, 950, with relative weights from 0.6277 to 1.1897 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is S81.839D exempt from POA reporting?

Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for puncture wound without foreign body, unspecified lower leg, subsequent encounter on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S81.839D?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, puncture wound without foreign body, unspecified lower leg, subsequent encounter converts to ICD-9-CM V58.89 (other specfied aftercare). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.