Orthopedic Coding Alert

Our May reader question "Choose 27814 for Bimalleolar Fracture" advised coders to report 27814 (Open treatment of bimalleolar ankle fracture, with or without internal or external fixation) when the orthopedist performs surgery on a patient with a fractured lateral malleolus and ruptured ligaments on the medial side.

A subscriber suggested that, although the patient in our example had a ruptured ligament, we did not specifically state that the surgeon repaired both the ligament and the fracture.

You should report 27814 only if the surgeon repairs the ruptured ligament and treats the ankle fracture. If the physician performs open treatment of the lateral malleolus fracture but does not address the ruptured ligaments, you should report only 27792 (Open treatment of distal fibular fracture [lateral malleolus], with or without internal or external fixation).