Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: Does CPT have a code we can use for an arthroscopic healing ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) response procedure? Or should we report an unlisted code?

Massachusetts Subscriber

Answer: Choose 29879 (Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; abrasion arthroplasty [includes chondroplasty where necessary] or multiple drilling or microfracture) for the claim.

The drilling of the femur to create the bone marrow blood clot that's placed over the ACL tear could be considered the same as a microfracture. "Healing response" is another term for "microfracture," so that's another clue to point you toward the correct code.