Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: The surgeon performed a proximal hamstring repair and stated that, "a 5.5 metal corkscrew anchor was placed in the ischium, and the sutures doubly loaded, 5.5 corkscrew sutures were placed in a shipstitch using a running locking stitch up and down the hamstring tendon." What is the best code for this procedure?

Massachusetts Subscriber

Answer: You should file with 27385 (Suture of quadriceps or hamstring muscle rupture; primary). Remember that although the details about anchors and locking stitches are important, the bottom line from a coding perspective is that the surgeon repaired a hamstring tendon, so that's all you should report.