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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Turn to Unlisted Code for Contracture Procedure in Toe

Published on Thu Mar 22, 2012

Question: Our surgeon documented the following:Diagnosis: 2nd Metatarsophalangeal stiffnessThe patient was taken to the operating room where she received left ankle local block anesthetic with approximately 8cc of 1% Lidocaine and 0.5% Marcaine. The 2nd MP right foot which previously had a 10 degree extension contracture was stretched into approximately 30 degrees of plantar flexion.This procedure was done at the same time and the surgeon wants to use 28120 (Partial excision [craterization, saucerization, sequestrectomy, or diaphysectomy] bone [eg, osteomyelitis or bossing]; talus or calcaneus): Diagnosis: Left calcaneal ununited anterior process fractureAn approximately 3 cm incision in the anterior process of the calcaneus with bony prominence was then made. The EDB was separated around this bony fragment. The bony prominence was then removed with a combination of a rongeur and a key elevator through the fibrous union plane. After this had been removed, the surface of the bone was smoothed with [...]
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