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Anesthesia Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Watch Anatomy for Popliteal Nerve Block

Published on Tue Nov 01, 2005

Question: How should I code a popliteal nerve block for postoperative pain management?


Texas Subscriber


Answer: A refresher on nerve anatomy will help you code this correctly with 64450 (Injection, anesthetic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch).
 
Because CPT does not include a code for popliteal nerve block injection, coders often wonder if they should report 64445 (Injection, anesthetic agent; sciatic nerve, single) or 64447 (Injection, anesthetic agent; femoral nerve, single) for the procedure. These codes are incorrect because the sciatic and femoral nerves don't innervate the popliteal area. They lie near the femur and branch off to the lower extremity instead.
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