Learn about left arm cellulitis diagnosis, including clinical documentation, ICD-10 codes (L03.111, L03.112, L03.119), symptoms, treatment, and management. This resource provides information for healthcare professionals on proper coding and documentation of left arm cellulitis in medical records for accurate billing and diagnosis reporting. Find details on cellulitis of the left upper limb, left forearm cellulitis, and left upper arm cellulitis.
Also known as
Cellulitis of left upper arm
Bacterial infection of the skin and tissues of the left upper arm.
Cellulitis of left lower arm
Bacterial infection of the skin and tissues of the left lower arm.
Cellulitis of left arm, unspecified
Bacterial infection of the skin and tissues of the left arm, location unspecified.
Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
Encompasses various skin infections, including cellulitis in different body areas.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the cellulitis of the left arm ONLY?
Yes
Is there lymphangitis?
No
Does it involve other body sites?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Left Arm Cellulitis |
| Left Arm Abscess |
| Left Arm Lymphangitis |
Coding left arm cellulitis without specifying laterality (e.g., using a non-lateralized code) can lead to inaccurate data and claims.
Failure to accurately document and code the severity of cellulitis (e.g., with or without systemic symptoms) impacts reimbursement and quality metrics.
Overlooking co-existing conditions like diabetes or lymphedema, which influence treatment and coding, may affect risk adjustment and quality reporting.
Patient presents with left arm cellulitis, characterized by localized erythema, warmth, edema, and tenderness. The onset of symptoms was reported as [duration] ago, with the patient describing [initial symptoms and progression]. The affected area extends from [proximal anatomical landmark] to [distal anatomical landmark], involving [specific anatomical location, e.g., dorsal forearm, volar aspect of upper arm]. Patient denies any history of trauma, insect bites, or open wounds to the left arm. No purulent drainage or fluctuance is noted. Vital signs include temperature of [temperature], heart rate of [heart rate], respiratory rate of [respiratory rate], and blood pressure of [blood pressure]. Lymphangitis is [present/absent]. Regional lymph nodes, including [specific lymph nodes, e.g., axillary, epitrochlear], are [palpable/nonpalpable] and [tender/nontender]. The patient's medical history includes [relevant comorbidities, e.g., diabetes, peripheral vascular disease] and current medications include [list medications]. Assessment: Left arm cellulitis, likely bacterial. Differential diagnosis includes deep vein thrombosis, contact dermatitis, and erysipelas. Plan: Prescribed [antibiotic name and dosage] for [duration]. Patient education provided on wound care, signs of worsening infection, and importance of medication adherence. Follow-up appointment scheduled in [duration]. Instructions to return to the clinic or emergency department sooner if symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop, such as fever, chills, spreading redness, or increased pain. ICD-10 code: L03.111 (Cellulitis of left upper arm), L03.112 (Cellulitis of left forearm), or L03.119 (Cellulitis of other part of left arm) depending on specific location.