Foot Ulcer ICD-10 Codes

Which foot ulcer ICD codes are billable?

All of the ICD-10-CM codes listed above for non-pressure chronic foot ulcers are valid and billable except for the following non-specific codes: L97.4, L97.40, L97.41, L97.42, and L97.50.

Clinical information

• A foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that occurs on the foot, most commonly due to poor circulation, diabetes, or neuropathy. These ulcers typically develop on weight-bearing areas such as the toes, heels, or plantar surface and may range from superficial skin breakdown to deep wounds involving muscle, tendon, or bone.
• Foot ulcers are clinically assessed by location, depth, and tissue involvement (e.g., skin, fat, muscle, bone) and classified as pressure-related or non-pressure ulcers. Non-pressure foot ulcers, particularly in diabetic patients, often result from repetitive trauma, unnoticed injuries, or poor wound healing due to vascular insufficiency.
• Common complications include infection, osteomyelitis, and delayed healing, which can lead to hospitalisation or even amputation if left untreated. Accurate documentation of severity, laterality, and associated conditions (e.g., diabetes, peripheral artery disease) is essential for proper ICD-10-CM coding and management planning.

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
• Diabetic foot ulcer
• Diabetic ulcers