Orthopedic Coding Alert

Our June issue featured the reader question -Know Your Proximal Row Bones,- which stated that during a proximal row carpectomy, the surgeon removes the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum and pisiform bones.

Although the pisiform is part of the proximal row, surgeons do not routinely remove it during a proximal row carpectomy. Therefore, you can report 25215 (Carpectomy; all bones of proximal row) if the surgeon documents removing the scaphoid, lunate and triquetrum bones only. Thanks to Randeep Kahlon, MD, associate director of orthopaedic trauma service at ChristianaCare in Delaware, for pointing out the error.