Foot Ulcer
Explore this short guide to ICD-10 codes for foot ulcers and their billability, synonyms, and clinical descriptions.
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Fact Checked by Nate Lacson.
What ICD-10 Codes are Used for Foot Ulcers?
Check below for a list of ICD Codes for foot ulcers that healthcare professionals can use for medical coding, diagnosis documentation, communication, and billing.
- L97.40: Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified heel and midfoot
- L97.41: Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right heel and midfoot
- L97.42: Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left heel and midfoot
- L97.50: Non-pressure chronic ulcer of other part of unspecified foot
- L97.51: Non-pressure chronic ulcer of other part of right foot
- L97.52: Non-pressure chronic ulcer of other part of left foot
Note: There are more specific codes under all of the codes mentioned above that one is recommended to use that specify the severity of the ulcer.
Which Foot Ulcer ICD codes are Billable:
The more specific codes under the codes above, specifying the ulcer’s severity, are billable.
Clinical Information
- Foot ulcers are lesions or open sores that don’t heal or constantly appear over a long period of time.
- There are three types of foot ulcers: venous, neurotropic (diabetic), and arterial. Each of them differs from one another depending on their appearance, location, and impact on the skin.
- Those likely to develop foot ulcers are diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and obesity.
- A practitioner will examine the affected area to diagnose foot ulcers and have the patient undergo additional imaging tests like an MRI, CT scan, and X-ray if needed.
- Treatments include topical or oral medication, non-surgical off-loading, prosthetics, and surgery if the case is severe.
Synonyms Include:
- Foot open lesions
- Foot open sores
- Open sores on the heel and/or midfoot
- Open lesions on the heel and/or midfoot
- Non-pressure chronic ulcer on the foot, heel, or midfoot
Commonly asked questions
You can use a foot ulcer ICD code once you’ve determined with tests and examination of the diagnosis that the patient has an ulcer and not a wound since they’re both usually interchangeable.
Yes, the more specific foot ulcer diagnosis codes are billable.
Common treatments for foot ulcers are topical/oral medication, prosthetics, non-surgical off-loading, and, in severe cases, surgery.
