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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Use 727.89 for Dislocated Peroneal Tendon Dx

Published on Fri Sep 10, 2004

Question: Our orthopedic surgeon recently repaired a patient's peroneal tendon, but we can't find a diagnosis code for the dislocated peroneal tendon. Should we report 726.79?

Alabama Subscriber Answer: No. Because 726.79 (Enthesopathy of ankle and tarsus; other) includes a description of "peroneal tendonitis," some coders report it for general peroneal tendon problems, but this is incorrect coding.
 
You should instead report 727.89 (Other disorders of synovium, tendon and bursa; other). The physician should write a letter describing the patient's condition and explain why the peroneal tendon repair was medically necessary, and you should submit the letter with your claim.
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