In simple words: This code is for minor injuries like scrapes, cuts, bruises, or blisters on the knee or lower leg. It doesn't include serious injuries like burns or broken bones.

S80 encompasses superficial injuries to the knee and lower leg, including but not limited to abrasions, contusions, blisters (nonthermal), and external constrictions.It excludes injuries such as burns, frostbite, and injuries to the ankle and foot (unless it's a fracture of the ankle or malleolus).Additional codes from Chapter 20 (External causes of morbidity) should be used to specify the cause of injury.If a foreign body is retained, code Z18.- should also be applied.

Example 1: A patient falls and scrapes their knee, resulting in a superficial abrasion.The wound is cleaned and bandaged., A child suffers a minor contusion (bruise) on their lower leg after a playground accident. No treatment beyond observation is needed., A patient experiences a superficial laceration on their knee after a surgical procedure, requiring a small number of sutures to close the wound.

Patient history detailing the mechanism of injury, physical examination findings (location, size, depth of injury), photographs of the wound, and any treatment provided (wound cleaning, antiseptic application, suturing, etc.).If a foreign body is involved, include X-ray documentation.

** The seventh character (A, D, or S) should be appended to the code to indicate the encounter (initial, subsequent, or sequela).Appropriate additional codes should be used for any complications, such as infection.