L97.824

Billable

Non-pressure chronic ulcer of other part of left lower leg with necrosis of bone

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 380 — Chronic Ulcer of Skin, Except Pressure

0.426

V24HCC 161 — Chronic Ulcer of Skin, Except Pressure

0.426

ESRDHCC 161 — Chronic Ulcer of Skin, Except Pressure

0.000

RxHCCHCC 311 — Diabetic and Chronic Skin Ulcer

0.000

What This Code Means

A long-lasting open sore on the left lower leg (not from pressure) that has eaten through to the bone, causing bone death.

Coding Tips

•This code indicates the most severe stage with bone necrosis; ensure clinical documentation clearly describes bone involvement and necrosis
•Verify the ulcer location is specifically 'other part of left lower leg' and not heel or other specified areas to avoid miscoding

Clinical Significance

This non-pressure chronic ulcer on the other part of left lower leg with bone necrosis represents the most severe form of chronic ulceration, with osteonecrosis indicating potential osteomyelitis and high risk for amputation. Chronic non-pressure ulcers are significant for risk adjustment because they indicate ongoing complex wound management needs, increased healthcare utilization, and often reflect underlying systemic conditions such as peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, or venous insufficiency. Accurate severity coding directly impacts care planning, specialist referral decisions, and appropriate resource allocation for wound care services.

Documentation Requirements

✓Confirmation that the ulcer is chronic (present for extended duration, not acute)
✓Documentation that the ulcer is NOT caused by pressure (non-pressure etiology)
✓Specific anatomical site of the ulcer on the other part of left lower leg
✓Laterality documented as left side
✓Clinical documentation of bone necrosis (osteonecrosis/osteomyelitis)
✓Imaging studies (X-ray, MRI, or bone scan) supporting bone involvement
✓Description of necrotic bone tissue characteristics
✓Underlying etiology or contributing conditions (e.g., venous insufficiency, arterial disease, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy)
✓Current wound measurements (length, width, depth) and wound bed description
✓Current treatment plan and wound care management

Commonly Confused Codes

L97.814 — Right lower leg equivalent; confirm laterality before coding L97.826 — bone involvement WITHOUT necrosis — critical distinction: necrosis means tissue death L97.823 — muscle necrosis — less severe, verify bone vs. muscle involvement L89.xxx — Pressure ulcer codes; L97 is specifically for NON-pressure chronic ulcers L97.5xx — Foot ulcer codes; verify whether the ulcer is on the leg or foot

Code Hierarchy

└L97Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified └L97.8Non-pressure chronic ulcer of other part of lower leg └L97.82Non-pressure chronic ulcer of other part of left lower leg └L97.824Non-pressure chronic ulcer of other part of left lower leg with necrosis of bone

└L97.824Non-pressure chronic ulcer of other part of left lower leg with necrosis of bone