Varicose veins of right lower extremity with ulcer of ankle

This code signifies the presence of abnormally dilated and tortuous veins in the right lower extremity, specifically complicated by an open sore or lesion located at the ankle. This ulceration is directly attributable to the underlying venous insufficiency, often resulting from impaired blood flow and increased venous pressure.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates varicose veins affecting the right lower limb, with a specific ulceration noted at the ankle. The physician's notes should explicitly link the ankle ulcer to the varicose vein pathology. This code is appropriate for patients presenting with chronic venous insufficiency manifesting as an ankle ulcer on the right side.

• Ensure documentation specifies "right" lower extremity and "ankle" for the ulcer location.
• Do not use this code if the ulcer is due to arterial insufficiency, diabetes, or other non-varicose causes.
• Consider additional codes for severity of ulceration (e.g., non-pressure chronic ulcer codes) if further detail is provided.