2025 ICD-10-CM code S85.8
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Injury - Injuries to the knee and lower leg Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88) Feed
Injury of other blood vessels at the lower leg level.
Modifiers may be used to indicate the location and extent of the injury or the type of procedure performed.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of a clinically significant injury to the lower leg blood vessels, evidenced by physical examination, laboratory data, and imaging studies, which compromises blood flow and/or threatens limb viability.Treatment is necessary to restore blood flow, prevent complications (e.g., compartment syndrome, limb ischemia, deep vein thrombosis), and promote healing.
The clinical responsibility includes a thorough patient history and physical examination, focusing on nerve and vascular assessment.Laboratory studies may be ordered to evaluate coagulation factors, platelets, and kidney function (BUN and creatinine if contrast imaging is planned).Appropriate imaging studies (X-rays, ultrasound, venography, arteriography) are crucial to assess the extent of vascular injury. Treatment options range from pressure to control bleeding to anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy, analgesics, and potentially surgical repair of the damaged vessel.
- Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
- Injuries to the knee and lower leg (S80-S89)
In simple words: This code describes damage to the blood vessels in your lower leg caused by an injury. This could be from a car accident, sports injury, a cut, or other trauma.The doctor will figure out what happened to the blood vessels and how to treat it.Treatment might include stopping bleeding, medication, or surgery.
This code classifies injuries to blood vessels in the lower leg not otherwise specified.The injury may result from blunt or penetrating trauma (e.g., motor vehicle accident, sports injury, gunshot wound, puncture wound), external compression or force, abnormal bending or twisting of the leg, or surgical injury.The provider identifies an injury type not represented by another code in this category.Possible complications include heavy bleeding, thrombus formation, thrombophlebitis, hypotension, and cool, pale skin.Diagnosis involves patient history, physical examination (nerve and vascular assessment), laboratory studies (coagulation factors, platelets, BUN, creatinine if contrast imaging is planned), and imaging studies (X-rays, ultrasound, venography, arteriography).
Example 1: A patient presents after a motorcycle accident with a severely lacerated lower leg, resulting in significant bleeding and damage to multiple blood vessels.This requires immediate surgical repair and ongoing monitoring for complications like blood clots., A patient sustains a deep puncture wound to their calf during a workplace incident.Imaging reveals damage to a major artery requiring angioplasty or surgical intervention., An athlete suffers a lower leg injury during a soccer match, resulting in a hematoma and compromised blood flow.Conservative management with compression and elevation is initially attempted, followed by ultrasound monitoring.
Detailed patient history including mechanism of injury, physical examination findings with documentation of vascular status and nerve function, results of relevant laboratory tests (e.g., complete blood count, coagulation studies), and imaging studies (X-rays, ultrasound, angiography, venography) as appropriate. Operative reports for any surgical interventions should also be included.
** This code encompasses a wide range of injuries to lower leg blood vessels.Accurate coding requires detailed documentation and clinical correlation.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Specialties:Vascular Surgery, Trauma Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Emergency Medicine
- Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Office, Ambulatory Surgical Center