Reconstruct Your Knowledge of Ligament Repair Types
Question: Can you explain the differences between primary and secondary ligament repairs? Vermont Subscriber Answer: Primary ligament repairs, coded with 27695 (Repair, primary, disrupted ligament, ankle; collateral) and 27696 (… both collateral ligaments), are performed when the patient suffers an acute injury. The physician joins the torn ligament ends directly. Use 27695 when the provider surgically repairs one collateral ligament (medial or lateral) or an equivalent ligament, such as the plantar calcaneonavicular, which is also known as the spring ligament. When the podiatrist surgically repairs both the medial and lateral ligaments, you’ll assign 27696 to report the treatment. Secondary ligament repair, coded with 27698 (Repair, secondary, disrupted ligament, ankle, collateral (eg, Watson-Jones procedure)), is used to treat chronic injuries that need reconstruction. These procedures may also involve additional tissue. An example of a secondary ligament repair is the Brostrom procedure, which repairs the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC
