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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Manipulation in the OR

Published on Sun Jul 01, 2001

Question: A patient had a total knee replacement 30 days ago, then returned to the operating room (OR) for a manipulation of the knee. Can I code for the return to the OR?

Iowa Subscriber

Answer: Assuming that the manipulation was performed due to a contracture of the knee a known complication after total knee arthroplasty and because the procedure required a return to the operating room, you may report 27570 (manipulation of knee joint under general anesthesia) with modifier -78 (return to the operating room for a related procedure during the postoperative period).
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