kkidd91
Contributor
Any advice on coding the following would be greatly appreciated. I am looking at CPT 29873 however this code states with lateral release ( and a medial and lateral release was completed)
would you suggest billing 29999 as an unlisted code? (Payer is Medicare)
POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Postinfectious arthritis with stiffness/arthrofibrosis of the left knee.
OPERATIONS PERFORMED: Left knee arthroscopy with synovectomy, medial and lateral retinacular release, and manipulation under anesthesia.
ANESTHESIA: General.
OPERATIVE FINDINGS: There was dense scar in the anterior compartment and medial and lateral gutters with limited patellar mobility. His range of motion was -5 to 85 degrees.
DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE: He underwent gentle manipulation under anesthesia and was able to achieve about 90 degrees of flexion. Routine arthroscopic portals were established, and diagnostic arthroscopy was performed after exsanguination. The dense scar was debrided with a shaver. We used a hook tip cautery to release the retinaculum, both on the medial and lateral side. This significantly increased patellar mobility. We then did a manipulation under anesthesia and were able to get about 110 degrees of knee flexion. The wounds were then injected with 0.25% Marcaine and closed with 4-0 nylon. Xeroform gauze and sterile dressing was applied, and the patient was taken to the recovery room instable condition.
would you suggest billing 29999 as an unlisted code? (Payer is Medicare)
POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Postinfectious arthritis with stiffness/arthrofibrosis of the left knee.
OPERATIONS PERFORMED: Left knee arthroscopy with synovectomy, medial and lateral retinacular release, and manipulation under anesthesia.
ANESTHESIA: General.
OPERATIVE FINDINGS: There was dense scar in the anterior compartment and medial and lateral gutters with limited patellar mobility. His range of motion was -5 to 85 degrees.
DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE: He underwent gentle manipulation under anesthesia and was able to achieve about 90 degrees of flexion. Routine arthroscopic portals were established, and diagnostic arthroscopy was performed after exsanguination. The dense scar was debrided with a shaver. We used a hook tip cautery to release the retinaculum, both on the medial and lateral side. This significantly increased patellar mobility. We then did a manipulation under anesthesia and were able to get about 110 degrees of knee flexion. The wounds were then injected with 0.25% Marcaine and closed with 4-0 nylon. Xeroform gauze and sterile dressing was applied, and the patient was taken to the recovery room instable condition.