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Orthopedic Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Look to 26230 for Carpal Bossing

Published on Sun Jan 01, 2006

Question: Which CPT and ICD-9 codes should I report when the surgeon documents carpal bossing?


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Answer: Because a carpometacarpal boss occurs at the base of the second and third metacarpals, it constitutes a -partial- excision. Therefore, you should report 26230 (Partial excision [craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy] bone [e.g., osteomyelitis]; metacarpal) when the surgeon documents carpal bossing.

For the diagnosis code, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand recommends 718.04 (Articular cartilage disorder; hand).

If your surgeon thinks that 733.99 (Other and unspecified disorders of bone and cartilage; other) is more appropriate for your patient's case, you should select that code instead.
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