S80-S89: Injuries to the knee and lower leg

S81: Open wound of lower leg

The S81 group of conditions is related to open wounds in the lower leg, which are injuries that penetrate the skin and underlying tissues. These can occur from various situations such as accidents, falls, or any sharp object incidents. The wound can be anything from a shallow scrape, or abrasion, to a deep cut or laceration, potentially exposing muscles, tendons, or even bones. Generally, they are characterized by redness, swelling, pain, and might bleed. If not taken care of properly, they can lead to complications such as infection, damage to vital structures in the leg like nerves or blood vessels, or even non-healing ulcers. Moreover, particularly deep or large wounds could result in significant blood loss. The impact on a person's daily living and health depends on the severity and location of the wound, along with the presence of any complications.