Common Podiatry ICD 10 Codes for 2026

The FY 2026 ICD-10-CM code set became mandatory on October 1, 2025, introducing critical changes for podiatry practices. These include mandatory laterality specifications for lower extremity conditions, expanded ulcer depth classifications, and new diabetes remission codes that fundamentally alter documentation requirements. Claims submitted with outdated codes now result in automatic denials from Medicare and commercial payers.

This blog covers the podiatry ICD-10 codes commonly used in podiatric practice, spanning nail disorders, structural deformities, diabetic complications, chronic ulcers, and fractures. At the end of it, you will be familiar with the updated coding requirements and enhance claim approval while ensuring compliance with payer requirements.

FY 2026 Podiatry ICD 10 Codes Updates

The October 2025 update introduced podiatry-specific changes that fundamentally alter wound care documentation and diabetes coding.

Update Category	Change Description	Impact on Podiatry
L97 Ulcer Codes Expansion	Code set expanded from 89 to 267 codes with 6-level depth classification system	All foot ulcers now require specific laterality (right/left) and depth documentation. New codes L97.515, L97.516, L97.525, L97.526 added for muscle/bone involvement without necrosis
L97.2- Shin Ulcer Inclusion	“Non-pressure chronic ulcer of shin” added as new inclusion term	Shin ulcers previously had no specific coding option; now represented by L97.2- series
E11.A Diabetes Remission	New code for Type 2 diabetes without complications in remission	Documents patients maintaining HbA1c <6.5% for 3+ months without diabetes medications. Critical for diabetic foot care billing
D48.11 Aggressive Fibromatosis	“Aggressive fibromatosis” (desmoid tumor) added as inclusion term	Differentiates from plantar fibromatosis (Ledderhose disease), affecting surgical foot procedure coding
Mandatory Laterality	All lower extremity codes require right/left specification	Missing laterality triggers automatic claim rejection. Applies to ulcers, deformities, pain codes, and fractures

Common Podiatry ICD 10 CM Codes

Nail Conditions

Nail disorders represent high-volume encounters in podiatric practice. These icd 10 codes for podiatry nail care cover fungal infections, ingrown nails, and other nail pathologies requiring routine or surgical intervention.

Skin Conditions (Foot)

Dermatological conditions of the foot require specific documentation for medical necessity. These codes support debridement procedures and topical treatments commonly performed in podiatry offices.

Structural Deformities

Foot deformities account for both conservative management and surgical procedures. Laterality specification is mandatory for proper reimbursement and reflects the biomechanical assessment required in treatment planning.

Pain Conditions

Pain-related diagnoses justify evaluation and management services, diagnostic imaging, and therapeutic interventions. Specificity in pain location correlates with higher E&M level selection when combined with appropriate examination documentation.

Achilles & Posterior Tibial Tendon

Tendon pathologies frequently require physical therapy, orthotics, and surgical consultation. These conditions demonstrate the chronic nature of lower extremity biomechanical dysfunction treated in podiatry.

Diabetes-Related Conditions

Diabetic foot care represents a significant portion of podiatry billing. The new E11.A remission code changes documentation requirements for patients who have achieved glycemic control without medication.

Non-Pressure Chronic Ulcers

Wound care coding underwent the most substantial changes in FY 2026. The expanded depth classification system and mandatory laterality requirements fundamentally altered documentation standards for chronic ulcers.

Vascular Conditions

Peripheral vascular disease complicates wound healing and increases infection risk. These codes often appear as secondary diagnoses supporting medical necessity for advanced wound care procedures.

Neurological Conditions

Nerve pathologies directly impact gait, balance, and sensation in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Tarsal tunnel syndrome and plantar nerve lesions require electrodiagnostic testing and conservative or surgical management.

Arthritis

Degenerative joint disease affects surgical planning and conservative treatment protocols. Osteoarthritis codes support joint injection procedures, orthotic prescriptions, and pre-surgical evaluation.

Cellulitis & Infections

Soft tissue infections require prompt intervention and may necessitate hospitalization. Documentation of infection location determines appropriate antibiotic selection and supports wound care billing.

Fractures (Initial Encounter)

Traumatic injuries utilize seventh character extensions to specify encounter type. Initial encounter codes (A) apply to acute fracture care, while subsequent encounters require different seventh characters not listed here.

Other Common Conditions

These miscellaneous codes address post-procedural states, edema, and soft tissue conditions that frequently accompany primary foot pathologies in podiatric treatment plans.

Conclusion

This blog presents ICD 10 code for podiatry that addresses the majority of conditions encountered in daily podiatric practice. These codes reflect current FY 2026 standards effective from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, and incorporate all mandatory updates for wound care, diabetes management, and lower extremity documentation.

The codes listed represent approximately 18-30% of the total ICD-10-CM codes relevant to podiatry, covering high-frequency diagnoses across nail disorders, structural deformities, diabetic complications, chronic ulcers, and traumatic injuries. Partner with a podiatry billing service for comprehensive coding and compliance support. You can also read through the official FY 2026 CMS ICD-10-CM code files for comprehensive code sets, including rare conditions, complex wound classifications, and specialty procedures.