Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: How do we report the arthroscopic excision of a detached anterior labral tear with debridement? No repair was done in the procedure.

Mexico Subscriber

Answer: You select the codes 29822 (Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; debridement, limited) or 29823 (Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; debridement, extensive), depending upon how extensive the debridement was. The definition, by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), of extensive debridement is debridement either in the anterior and posterior aspect of the glenohumeral joint or debridement in two or more joints/spaces -- glenohumeral joint, subacromial bursa, acromioclavicular joint. Here, 29822 is the appropriate code as this debridement addresses one region (anterior) of a single structure (labrum) in the shoulder.