Bilateral Lower Extremity Cellulitis ICD-10-CM Codes
Get familiar with the ICD-10 Codes Used for Bilateral Lower Extremity Cellulitis. Learn about treatment options and the importance of diagnosis codes.
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What ICD-10 Codes are Used for Bilateral Lower Extremity Cellulitis
L03.119
The code L03.119 corresponds to “Unspecified cellulitis of a limb segment.” This code is utilized when the exact location of the cellulitis on the lower extremity is not explicitly specified. This ambiguity could arise due to various reasons. Patients might be unsure about the precise site of the infection, or medical practitioners might not have been able to pinpoint the exact location during their examination.
L03.111
On the other hand, the code L03.111 pertains to “Cellulitis of the calf.” This code is employed when the infection specifically affects the calf region, the area between the knee and the ankle. Cellulitis of the calf can be triggered by various factors, such as cuts, scrapes, insect bites, or even be associated with conditions like varicose veins.
L03.112
Moving down the leg, we encounter L03.112, the code for “Cellulitis of the foot.” It is one of the common Bilateral Lower Extremity Cellulitis ICD Codes assigned when cellulitis is localized to the foot, situated below the ankle. Just like cellulitis in other areas, foot cellulitis can result from injuries like cuts, scrapes, or insect bites. Additionally, it could also be linked to conditions like athlete’s foot.
L03.113
This ICD 10 code bilateral lower extremity cellulitis - L03.113 is used to indicate “Cellulitis of the ankle.” This code becomes relevant when the cellulitis is situated on the ankle—the joint connecting the foot and the leg. Ankle cellulitis might arise from minor injuries like cuts, scrapes, or insect bites. Moreover, it can also manifest as a complication of a sprained ankle.
L03.114
Moving further down the leg to the toes, L03.114 represents “Cellulitis of the toe.” This bilateral lower extremity cellulitis ICD code comes into play when the cellulitis specifically affects one of the toes. Similar to other instances, toe cellulitis can stem from cuts, scrapes, insect bites or be linked to issues like ingrown toenails.
L03.115
Finally, we encounter L03.115, corresponding to “Cellulitis of the thigh.” This ICD 10 code for bilateral lower extremity cellulitis is applicable when the infection is located on the thigh—the region between the hip and the knee. Like other cellulitis cases, thigh cellulitis can develop from cuts, scrapes, or insect bites. Furthermore, it might also be associated with complications such as lymphedema.
Which Bilateral Lower Extremity Cellulitis ICD codes are Billable:
Yes, the ICD 10 for bilateral lower extremity cellulitis codes, which are L03.119, L03.111, L03.112, L03.113, L03.114, and L03.115 are billable. These codes are used to identify the location of the cellulitis, which can be on the unspecified part of the limb, the calf, the foot, the ankle, the toe, or the thigh.
Clinical Information
- Bilateral lower extremity cellulitis is a bacterial infection affecting the skin and underlying tissues of both legs, characterized by redness, swelling, warmth, and pain.
- Common causes include Staphylococcus aureus, along with Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- The risk factors for bilateral lower extremity cellulitis include age-related susceptibility, weakened immune systems in diabetes patients, increased vulnerability due to poor leg circulation (venous insufficiency), heightened risk from fluid buildup in legs (lymphedema), and the potential for infection through skin trauma like cuts, scrapes, or insect bites.
- Symptoms comprise redness, swelling, warmth, pain, tenderness, fever, chills, and fatigue.
- Diagnosis is typically based on symptoms and physical examination, possibly involving blood tests or cultures.
- Treatment involves antibiotics targeted at the specific bacteria causing the infection.
- Patients might be advised to elevate legs and apply cold compresses for relief.
- Potential complications of bilateral lower extremity cellulitis encompass infections of lymphatic vessels (lymphangitis) and lymph nodes (lymphadenitis), alongside the severe risk of life-threatening sepsis if the infection disseminates into the bloodstream.
Synonyms Include:
- Bilateral leg cellulitis
- Bilateral lower limb cellulitis
- Bilateral lower leg infection
- Bilateral lower extremity infection
- Symmetric lower extremity cellulitis
- Symmetric leg cellulitis
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Commonly asked questions
An ICD-10 code for bilateral lower extremity cellulitis is employed for reimbursement, research, and statistical purposes, indicating a bacterial skin infection affecting both legs.
Common treatments for bilateral lower extremity cellulitis involve antibiotics targeting the specific bacteria causing the infection, pain medication for relief, leg elevation to reduce swelling and pain, cold compresses for inflammation, and compression stockings to enhance circulation and reduce swelling.
A diagnosis code for bilateral lower extremity cellulitis is a distinctive identifier encompassing factors like infection location, severity, and underlying cause specific to each patient's condition. The code varies based on individual circumstances, such as the distinct codes for cellulitis caused by a cut or scrape versus that caused by lymphedema.
