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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Select Right Code for ORIF Lower Leg

Published on Mon Sep 12, 2011

Question: What is the right code for distal tibia and fibula ORIF? The surgeon made two incisions with about 8 cm skin bridge between the 2 incisions and separate plates and screws were placed. Is it correct to report 27829? Answer: We need more specific information about the fracture in order to assign the correct code. Code 27829 (Open treatment of distal tibiofibular joint [syndesmosis] disruption, includes internal fixation, when performed) does not apply as a syndesmosis disruption is not mentioned in the question. We don't even know whether hardware was applied to the tibia, fibula, or both bones. If this is an ORIF of a bimalleolar fracture, report code 27814 (Open treatment of bimalleolar ankle fracture [eg, lateral and medial malleoli, or lateral and posterior malleoli, or medial and posterior malleoli], includes internal fixation, when performed); if it is an ORIF of distal shaft fracture, report 27758 (Open treatment [...]
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