Acquired absence of left leg below knee

This code signifies the acquired absence of the left leg, specifically below the knee joint. It indicates a missing limb segment resulting from amputation, trauma, or disease, rather than a congenital condition. The individual has undergone a surgical or traumatic event leading to the loss of the lower portion of the left leg.

Apply this code for patients who have undergone an amputation of the left leg below the knee due to various causes such as peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, trauma, or infection. It is also appropriate for documenting the acquired absence of the left leg below the knee following a traumatic event where the limb was lost. This code is used for long-term follow-up and management of individuals with this specific limb loss.

• Ensure the documentation clearly specifies "acquired" absence and the laterality as "left."
• Verify the amputation site is definitively below the knee; do not use for above-knee amputations.
• Consider additional codes for the underlying cause of the amputation (e.g., diabetes, trauma, peripheral vascular disease).