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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Identify Additional Procedures When Reporting Arthroscopies

Published on Fri Oct 14, 2011

Question: The surgeon did a left knee arthroscopy with lateral release and open medial plication for lateral patellar instability. Open tibial tubercle osteotomy with medialization was also done. What are the correct CPT® code(s) and modifier(s) that can be used to report the procedure?Alabama SubscriberAnswer: In this situation, you report codes 27422 (Reconstruction of dislocating patella; with extensor realignment and/or muscle advancement or release [eg, Campbell, Goldwaite type procedure]) for the medial plication and 27418 (Anterior tibial tubercleplasty [eg, Maquet type procedure]) for the tibial tubercle osteotomy. Lateral release, regardless of surgical approach, is inclusive to code 27422.
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