In simple words: This code represents a chronic, non-pressure ulcer on the lower limb that is not caused by pressure.It's important to also identify and code the underlying medical condition causing the ulcer, such as diabetes or poor circulation.

Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified. Code first any associated underlying condition, such as: any associated gangrene (I96) atherosclerosis of the lower extremities (I70.23-, I70.24-, I70.33-, I70.34-, I70.43-, I70.44-, I70.53-, I70.54-, I70.63-, I70.64-, I70.73-, I70.74-) chronic venous hypertension (I87.31-, I87.33-) diabetic ulcers (E08.621, E08.622, E09.621, E09.622, E10.621, E10.622, E11.621, E11.622, E13.621, E13.622) postphlebitic syndrome (I87.01-, I87.03-) postthrombotic syndrome (I87.01-, I87.03-) varicose ulcer (I83.0-, I83.2-) Includes: chronic ulcer of skin of lower limb NOS non-healing ulcer of skin non-infected sinus of skin trophic ulcer NOS tropical ulcer NOS ulcer of skin of lower limb NOS Excludes2: pressure ulcer (pressure area) (L89.-) skin infections (L00-L08) specific infections classified to A00-B99

Example 1: A patient with diabetes presents with a chronic ulcer on their left lower leg, which is determined to be due to diabetic neuropathy.The code L97, along with the appropriate diabetes code (e.g., E11.621), would be used., A patient with a history of varicose veins develops a chronic, non-healing ulcer on their right ankle. L97 and the code for varicose ulcer (e.g., I83.00) would be used., A patient has a non-pressure chronic ulcer of the lower leg with exposed fat layer.L97 is used along with codes specifying the severity and location.

Documentation should include the location (thigh, knee, ankle, foot, etc.), laterality, the stage or severity of the ulcer (limited to skin breakdown, fat layer exposed, muscle necrosis, bone necrosis), and the underlying condition causing the ulcer (e.g. diabetes, atherosclerosis).