S81.021 – Laceration with foreign body, right knee

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Injuries to the knee and lower leg

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code S81.021

Code: S81.021 (claims format: S81021)
Description: Laceration with foreign body, right knee
Billable: No – use a more specific code below
Valid for: Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
Chapter: 19. Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
Block: S80-S89 Injuries to the knee and lower leg
Parent codes: S81 › S81.0 › S81.02

Billable codes under S81.021

S81.021 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

7th character values

Codes in this category need a 7th character to describe the encounter or episode of care.

Character	Meaning
`A`	initial encounter
`D`	subsequent encounter
`S`	sequela

Notes inherited from parent codes

Instructional notes at a category or block level apply to every code below it.

S81 – Open wound of knee and lower leg

Excludes1 (not coded here):

open fracture of knee and lower leg (S82.-)
traumatic amputation of lower leg (S88.-)

Excludes2 (not included here):

open wound of ankle and foot (S91.-)

Code also:

any associated wound infection

7th character note:

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S81

Block S80-S89

Excludes2 (not included here):

burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
frostbite (T33-T34)
injuries of ankle and foot, except fracture of ankle and malleolus (S90-S99)
insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)

Related codes in S81.02

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code S81.021?

S81.021 is the ICD-10-CM code for laceration with foreign body, right knee, in the block S80-S89 (Injuries to the knee and lower leg).

Is S81.021 a billable code?

No. S81.021 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

What category does S81.021 belong to?

It belongs to category S81 – Open wound of knee and lower leg.

Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code files, tabular list and index. Reference only – code assignment must follow the official ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation in the medical record.