Orthopedic Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Chondroplasty
Published on Tue May 01, 2001
Question: What compartments are referred to in arthroscopic chondroplasty of the knee (29877)?
New Mexico Subscriber
Answer: Code 29877 (arthroscopy, knee, surgical; debridement/shaving of articular cartilage [chondroplasty]) is not a separate compartment code and should not be reported multiple times when arthroscopic debridement or chondroplasty is performed in more than one compartment of the knee. If your physician feels that the work he or she performed was above and beyond what would normally be associated with an arthroscopic debridement or chondroplasty of the knee, append modifier -22 (unusual procedural services) to 29877.
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