Wiki Need CPT for lateral retinaculum repair

Create Wiki
R

RebeccaMoney

Expert
Messages
295
Location
LEES SUMMIT, MO
Best answers
0
27405 or 27427 or 27429? Diagnosis is Right knee lateral retinaculum tear.
Op report states: The patient's right lower extremity was prepped and draped in a sterile manner, after which an incision was made over the lateral aspect of the knee. Dissection was carried down to subcutaneous tissue. Immediately , the joint fluid was obtained. This was clear yellow did not appear to be infectious. The knee was then copiously irrigated, after which the edges of the retinaculum were advanced and repaired to each other utilizing #1 Vicryl suture.
Please help.
Thank you,
 
if it were me, I would have to use 27405. the other codes are for reconstruction. I would like more people to give their opinion.
 
Which code did you want to go with and why? Agree, you can't code 27427 or 27429 those are much more extensive. It *could* be 27405 depending.
Was this the only procedure done during the case? It says "Immediately , the joint fluid was obtained." so I am assuming they did an arthrotomy?

What else does the header or op note say? If that's it, it's pretty sparse. Did the patient have a prior TKA they thought was infected and they found the tear while in there or..? I am wondering because if it was a question of an infected TKA, they did an arthrotomy, the intent of the procedure was that and they either went through the retinaculum to get in or found the tear while they were in there doing something else I might go with 27310.

This is referring to when it is done with other procedures:

This is old and suggests unlisted if it was the only thing done:

I think there might be a really old coding clinic article on it which suggests 27380 but I don't know that I agree with that. I think they were talking about patellar tendon repair at the same time with that one. https://www.findacode.com/newslette...ched-retinaculum-repair-H104010.html?hl=27385
This refers to it but it's very old: https://www.aapc.com/discuss/threads/suture-of-the-medial-and-lateral-retinaculum.67275/

Repair vs. reconstruction info: https://karenzupko.com/knee-ligament-repair-vs-reconstruction/
 
amyjph said:
Which code did you want to go with and why? Agree, you can't code 27427 or 27429 those are much more extensive. It *could* be 27405 depending.
Was this the only procedure done during the case? It says "Immediately , the joint fluid was obtained." so I am assuming they did an arthrotomy?

What else does the header or op note say? If that's it, it's pretty sparse. Did the patient have a prior TKA they thought was infected and they found the tear while in there or..? I am wondering because if it was a question of an infected TKA, they did an arthrotomy, the intent of the procedure was that and they either went through the retinaculum to get in or found the tear while they were in there doing something else I might go with 27310.

This is referring to when it is done with other procedures:

This is old and suggests unlisted if it was the only thing done:

I think there might be a really old coding clinic article on it which suggests 27380 but I don't know that I agree with that. I think they were talking about patellar tendon repair at the same time with that one. https://www.findacode.com/newslette...ched-retinaculum-repair-H104010.html?hl=27385
This refers to it but it's very old: https://www.aapc.com/discuss/threads/suture-of-the-medial-and-lateral-retinaculum.67275/

Repair vs. reconstruction info: https://karenzupko.com/knee-ligament-repair-vs-reconstruction/
Click to expand...
Pt had a total knee arthroplasty done in January of 2022 but continues to have pain and swelling. I'm not finding that an xray showed a tear but because of the continued symptoms, they decided to a lateral repair. Thank you for all your comments. I'm really leaning towards 27405 now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top