Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
ICD-10-CM S81 is the diagnosis code for Open wound of knee and lower leg. This code falls under the section "Injuries to the knee and lower leg" within Chapter 19 â Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.
The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as S81. They are mutually exclusive:
The following conditions are not included in S81. If the patient has both, code each condition separately:
Understanding where S81 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:
No, S81 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.
S81 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Open wound of knee and lower leg". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.
S81 is located in Section S80-S89 â "Injuries to the knee and lower leg" within Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
S81 has 2 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: S81.0, S81.8.
Use S81 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Open wound of knee and lower leg" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.
The ICD-10-CM code for Open wound of knee and lower leg is S81.
No, S81 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.
S81 is in Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Type 1 Excludes for S81 include: open fracture of knee and lower leg (S82.-); traumatic amputation of lower leg (S88.-).
Yes, S81 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.