ICD-10 Code L97.1 – Non-pressure chronic ulcer of thigh (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L97.1 – Non-pressure chronic ulcer of thigh
What it is
L97.1 identifies a chronic ulcer on the thigh that is not caused by pressure. Use it when documentation describes a persistent open sore of the thigh from another cause, such as vascular or diabetic-related disease.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Typical findings include a chronic, nonhealing skin break on the thigh with surrounding tissue loss, drainage, or granulation tissue.
When to use this code
Use L97.1 when the record clearly states a non-pressure chronic ulcer of the thigh. It is appropriate for outpatient, inpatient, or wound-care documentation when the ulcer location is the thigh and the cause is not pressure-related.
Make sure the site and chronic nature are documented. If the cause, laterality, or ulcer depth is unclear, check documentation before assigning the code.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for pressure ulcers, traumatic wounds, or acute skin injuries. If the ulcer is on another body site, choose the more specific code instead.
Coding tip
Verify that “non-pressure” and “thigh” are both documented before coding L97.1.