Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: Our orthopedist performed several procedures during a session: • Knee arthroscopy with partial menisectomy, debrided with chondromalacia, and three compartment synovectomy • Grade 3 chondromalacia debridement • Partial menisectomy of complex posterior horn medial meniscus • Debridement of radial tear lateral meninscus. What's the best way to code this service? Texas Subscriber Answer: Start with 29880 (Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy [medial and lateral, including any meniscal shaving]), which includes the synovectomies in the medial and lateral components. Because 29880 doesn't represent the patello-femoral compartment, report 29875 (... synovectomy, limited [e.g., plica or shelf resection] [separate procedure]) with modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service).