ICD-10 Code L97.301 – Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified ankle limited to breakdown of skin (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L97.301 – Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified ankle limited to breakdown of skin
What it is
This code identifies a chronic ulcer on the ankle that is not caused by pressure and is limited to breakdown of the skin. It is used when the ankle side is not specified in the record.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include a persistent open sore at the ankle with superficial skin loss. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for laterality, depth, and whether the ulcer is infected or has deeper tissue involvement.
When to use this code
Use L97.301 when the provider documents a chronic non-pressure ulcer of the ankle and states that the breakdown is limited to the skin. Choose this code when the ankle is unspecified and the record does not identify a deeper ulcer stage.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for pressure ulcers or for ulcers involving muscle, tendon, bone, or deeper tissue. If the ankle side or ulcer depth is documented differently, check documentation and code to the most specific option.
Coding tip
Verify laterality and ulcer depth in the note before assigning L97.301.