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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Fetch Full Payment for Pilon Fractures

Published on Fri Oct 14, 2011

Question: Our surgeon stabilized a pilon fracture using an external fixator and operated to fix the fibular fracture. After two weeks, an internal fixation was done. Can we report both the external and internal fixation procedures for this patient?Ohio SubscriberAnswer: Your surgeon initially has used an external fixator for the tibia and an internal fixator to stabilize the fibular fracture. In this case, you report code 27826 (Open treatment of fracture of weight bearing articular surface/portion of distal tibia [eg, pilon or tibial plafond], with internal fixation, when performed; of fibula only) for the open repair of the fibular fracture and placement of the external fixator for the tibia. Depending upon what type of the fixator, uniplane r multiplane, you report 20690 (Application of a uniplane [pins or wires in oneplane], unilateral, external fixation system) or 20692 (Application of a multiplane [pins or wires in more than 1plane], unilateral, external [...]
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