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Orthopedic Coding Alert

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Unicondylar TKR

Published on Tue Oct 01, 2002

Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the
answer.   Question: Is there a code for a unicondylar total knee replacement? We've been using the unlisted-procedure code, but we think there must be something more accurate available. Michigan Subscriber     Answer: The unlisted-procedure code (29999) is not appropriate for this particular total knee replacement because 27446 (Arthroplasty, knee, condyle and plateau; medial OR lateral compartment) is suited for a unicondylar knee arthroplasty procedure.

The phrasing "medial OR lateral" indicates that the orthopedist addressed only one condyle compartment, rather than both.

If the orthopedic surgeon operates on both the medial and lateral condyle and plateau compartments, the correct code would be 27447 (Arthroplasty, knee, condyle and plateau; medial AND lateral compartments with or without patella resurfacing [total knee arthroplasty]).
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