S81
⚠ Non-billable (Header)Open wound of knee and lower leg
Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
⚠️ This is a category header code — not billable. Use a more specific child code below.
❌ Excludes1
directThese codes are mutually exclusive. Never code them together.
- • open fracture of knee and lower leg (S82.-)
- • traumatic amputation of lower leg (S88.-)
⚠️ Excludes2
directBoth codes can exist if both conditions are documented.
- • open wound of ankle and foot (S91.-)
Child Codes (2)
Clinical Description
ICD-10-CM code S81 represents open wound of knee and lower leg. This code falls under the Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88) classification. It is a non-billable category header code. A more specific child code from the list below must be used for billing and reimbursement purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ICD-10 code S81?
ICD-10-CM code S81 is "Open wound of knee and lower leg". It belongs to the category: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88).
Is S81 a billable ICD-10 code?
No, S81 is a non-billable header code. A more specific child code must be used for billing.
What codes are excluded with S81?
S81 has 2 Excludes1 rule(s). These codes are mutually exclusive and cannot be coded together on the same claim.
Can S81 be coded with other codes?
S81 has 1 Excludes2 note(s). These conditions can be coded together if both are documented in the patient record.
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Data Source
CMS ICD-10-CM 2026 Tabular List
Updated October 1, 2025 (FY2026)