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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader questions:

Open/Closed and Acute/Chronic Set Suprascapularis Code

Published on Thu May 27, 2010

Question: What is the correct code for suprascapularis tendon repair?

Minnesota Subscriber

Answer: Report an arthroscopic repair with 29827 (Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; with rotator cuff repair). Choose between 23410 (Repair of ruptured musculotendinous cuff [e.g., rotator cuff] open; acute) and 23412 (... chronic) for an open repair, based on the type of injury (acute or chronic).

Tip: The subscapularis tendon is part of the rotator cuff, which is why you'll turn to shoulder procedure codes.

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Orthopedic Coding Alert

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