I87.013
BillablePostthrombotic syndrome with ulcer of bilateral lower extremity
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 383 — Diabetic Skin Ulcer and Severe Skin Conditions
0.517V24HCC 107 — Vascular Disease with Complications
0.450ESRDHCC 107 — Vascular Disease with Complications
0.000What This Code Means
A condition that develops after a blood clot in the legs, causing open sores or ulcers on both lower legs that don't heal properly.
Coding Tips
- •Only use when ulcers are documented on BOTH legs; confirm bilateral involvement in clinical notes
- •This code indicates more severe disease affecting both extremities
Clinical Significance
Postthrombotic syndrome with ulcer of the bilateral lower extremity represents a chronic sequela of deep vein thrombosis where permanent venous valve damage leads to chronic venous hypertension, causing skin breakdown and ulceration. This condition requires ongoing wound care, compression therapy, and close vascular monitoring, significantly increasing healthcare utilization. The presence of ulceration marks advanced disease that substantially impacts the patient's functional status and quality of life.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓History of deep vein thrombosis documented or referenced
- ✓Diagnosis of postthrombotic syndrome explicitly stated (not just chronic venous insufficiency)
- ✓Laterality documented (bilateral lower extremity)
- ✓Ulcer presence and characteristics described (size, location, depth, drainage)
- ✓Signs of chronic venous changes (hyperpigmentation, lipodermatosclerosis, edema)
- ✓Current wound management and compression therapy plan
- ✓Assessment of venous reflux or obstruction if available
Commonly Confused Codes
I87.011/I87.012 — Unilateral codes; use bilateral only when both extremities are documented as affectedI87.03x — Postthrombotic syndrome with ulcer AND inflammation; use when both ulcer and inflammation are documented togetherI83.2xx — Varicose veins with ulcer and inflammation; ensure the ulcer is attributed to postthrombotic syndrome, not primary varicose veinsI87.31x — Chronic venous hypertension with ulcer; postthrombotic syndrome has a specific prior deep vein thrombosis etiology that distinguishes it from idiopathic venous hypertensionL97.xxx — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb; use only when the ulcer is not attributable to postthrombotic syndrome or venous disease
Code Hierarchy
└I87Other disorders of veins└I87.0Postthrombotic syndrome└I87.01Postthrombotic syndrome with ulcer└I87.013Postthrombotic syndrome with ulcer of bilateral lower extremity
└I87.013Postthrombotic syndrome with ulcer of bilateral lower extremity