Corrosion of third degree of left knee, initial encounter

This code signifies a severe burn injury affecting the left knee, characterized by full-thickness tissue destruction extending through all layers of the skin and potentially into underlying fat, muscle, or bone. The affected area will appear charred, leathery, or waxy white, with little to no pain due to nerve damage.

Apply this code for patients presenting with a third-degree corrosion (chemical burn) of the left knee, specifically during their initial visit for treatment of this acute injury. This includes emergency department encounters, initial inpatient admissions, or the first outpatient visit for definitive care.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "corrosion" (chemical burn) rather than a thermal burn.
• Verify the laterality is explicitly documented as "left knee."
• Confirm this is the initial encounter for the burn; subsequent care would use a different encounter character.