Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: Which CPT code should we report for closed treatment of a posterior malleolus fracture? New York Subscriber Answer: Your question implies that your surgeon treated an isolated posterior malleolus fracture that was not associated with other fractures, which is a fairly rare occurrence. If your orthopedist performed an open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF), you should report the unlisted-procedure code 27899 (Unlisted procedure, leg or ankle). If the fracture extends to the weight-bearing surface of the tibia (plafond), then you should look to the 27826-27828 series (Open treatment of fracture of weight-bearing articular surface/portion of distal tibia [e.g., pilon or tibial plafond], with internal or external fixation ...). -- You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were reviewed by Heidi Stout, CPC, CCS-P, coding and reimbursement manager at University Orthopaedic Associates in New Brunswick, N.J.