Osteomyelitis Foot ICD-10-CM Codes

Explore ICD-10 codes for osteomyelitis of the foot, including acute and chronic types. Learn about coding by laterality, billing, and treatment options.

By Wynona Jugueta on Apr 23, 2025.

Fact Checked by Gale Alagos.

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What osteomyelitis foot ICD codes can I use?Are these osteomyelitis foot ICD codes billable?Clinical information about osteomyelitis Synonyms include:FAQS

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What osteomyelitis foot ICD codes can I use?

If you're looking for osteomyelitis foot ICD codes, there are a lot to consider and choose from. To give you an idea of what you can expect, we will list the basic osteomyelitis foot-related ICD-10 codes you can pick.

First, determine what kind of foot osteomyelitis your patient is dealing with. Note that all foot Osteomyelitis ICD-10 codes have ankle and foot in their names. As treatment documentation may vary, you’ll also want to identify if the condition affects the right ankle and foot, the left foot, or both sides.

Here they are:

M86.8X7: Other osteomyelitis, ankle and foot
M86.079: Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis, unspecified ankle and foot
M86.179: Other acute osteomyelitis, unspecified ankle and foot
M86.279: Subacute osteomyelitis, unspecified ankle and foot
M86.379: Chronic multifocal osteomyelitis, unspecified ankle and foot
M86.479: Chronic osteomyelitis with draining sinus, unspecified ankle and foot
M86.579: Other chronic hematogenous osteomyelitis, unspecified ankle and foot
M86.679: Other chronic osteomyelitis, unspecified ankle and foot

These more precise entries allow better documentation and accurate reimbursement, especially when multiple locations are affected.

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Are these osteomyelitis foot ICD codes billable?

Yes. All of the aforementioned osteomyelitis foot-related ICD-10 codes are valid and billable.

Clinical information about osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is the term healthcare professionals use when referring to bone infection. This condition often affects the foot, ankle, femur, shoulder, or even the tibia and fibula. It is primarily caused by bacteria (most often Staphylococcus aureus) or fungi entering the bloodstream and traveling to the bone, or by direct infection due to trauma or surgery. What it does is cause the bone marrow to swell and disrupt normal blood flow to the bone tissue.

Synonyms include:

Acute osteomyelitis of the foot
Acute osteomyelitis of ankle and foot
Acute osteomyelitis of metatarsal
Acute osteomyelitis of phalanx of toe
Acute osteomyelitis of talus
Chronic osteomyelitis of the foot
Chronic osteomyelitis of ankle and foot
Chronic osteomyelitis of the foot with draining sinus
Chronic osteomyelitis of ankle and foot with draining sinus

Commonly asked questions

What's the difference between acute and chronic osteomyelitis?

Acute osteomyelitis develops rapidly and is usually easier to treat with prompt antibiotics and medical intervention. Chronic osteomyelitis, on the other hand, is a long-term infection that often results from untreated acute cases and may involve recurring symptoms, dead bone, and the need for surgical treatment. The type of osteomyelitis must be specified.

What are the best ways to treat and manage osteomyelitis of the foot?

Treatment for foot osteomyelitis often involves a combination of long-term antibiotics and careful wound care. In more severe or chronic cases, surgery may be required to remove infected or necrotic bone tissue to prevent the spread of infection. Specify, what, if any, specific procedure code(s) may be used.

If surgery is performed on the foot, what can patients expect from it?

Patients undergoing surgery for foot osteomyelitis can expect debridement (removal of infected bone), possible hardware placement, and a recovery period involving restricted mobility. Post-surgery, they'll typically continue antibiotic therapy and may need physical therapy or assistive devices during the healing process. Any devices used should be documented.