Orthopedic Coding Alert

Latest Question on ICD-9 and CPT Code for Bankart Lesion from Codify's Ask an Expert Forum Question: How should I code repair of a Bankart lesion and a SLAP lesion? Texas Subscriber   Answer: A Bankart lesion and a SLAP (superior labrum, anterior to posterior) lesion are both injuries to the glenoid labrum of the shoulder. A Bankart lesion is an anterior-inferior lesion; a SLAP lesion is anterior-posterior. CPT 2002 introduced two specific codes for reporting... ...to read the full answer to this question or to post your own question, subscribe to Codify's Orthopedic Coder . You will get a 24X5 expert advice for all your difficult coding scenarios along with an easy to use code lookup and monthly specialty newsletter.
Take a FREE Trial Today. Although new CPT Codeswere released for arthroscopic shoulder procedures in 2002 coders are still puzzled about how an arthroscopic Bankart repair should be reported. Both the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) have issued guidance to resolve this issue. Although at times contradictory the advice should help coders determine how best to report Bankart and SLAP lesion repairs. Bankart and SLAP Lesions DefinedThe shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint with the humeral head being the ball and the glenoid being the shallow socket. The glenoid labrum is the fibrocartilaginous ring that surrounds the glenoid. It deepens the shoulder socket and helps stabilize the joint. Bankart and SLAP lesions are both stretching or tearing injuries to the glenoid labrum of the shoulder. Tears of the glenoid labrum can run from top to bottom (superior to inferior) or front to back (anterior to posterior). A SLAP lesion (superior labrum anterior [front] to posterior [back]) is a tear of the rim above the middle of the socket that may also involve the biceps tendon. A Bankart lesion is a tear of the rim below the middle of the glenoid socket that also involves the inferior glenohumeral ligament. Tears or lesions of this type often occur together or with shoulder dislocation and rotator cuff tears. They often occur as a result of a fall on an outstretched arm. In throwing sports such as baseball football etc. injuries of this type are extremely common.

Many SLAP and Bankart repairs can be accomplished arthroscopically advances in arthroscopic techniques and equipment enable surgeons to visualize the affected area with minimal incision and trauma to the patient. The physician repairs the injury by either removing the torn tissue suturing it back into place or if the labrum has pulled away from the socket entirely reattaching it with suture anchors.The ICD 9 Code for a SLAP lesion is 840.7 (Superior glenoid labrum lesion). No specific diagnosis code exists for a Bankart lesion. In the absence [...]