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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Bone Spur Codes

Published on Mon Feb 01, 1999

Question: What are the best codes to use for excision of spurs (other than calcaneal)?

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine
Paoli, PA

Answer: This question shows the importance of a good command of medical terminology. Technically speaking, a spur is a spine-like overgrowth of bone that generally occurs on the heel (or calcaneus). Another word to describe this is called an exostosis or an abnormal bony growth on a bone. These growths can occur throughout the body so the codes will be many and varied. When searching for codes to describe the excision of a bone spur, look for codes that include the verbiage, partial excision bone (e.g., exostosis).
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