Orthopedic Coding Alert
Swanson Implant Affects Silastic Joint
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer. Question: Our orthopedist inserted a Swanson implant into a patient's foot. Is there a code for the insertion? Alabama Subscriber Swanson Implant Affects Silastic Joint Answer: The Swanson implant acts as a flexible hinge to replace finger, toe and sometimes wrist joints that are damaged by arthritis. Your orthopedist likely used the Swanson implant as an artificial silastic joint.
Orthopedists normally use the Swanson implant at the first metatarsophalangeal joint. If that is the case with your patient, report 28293 (Correction, hallux valgus [bunion], with or without sesamoidectomy; resection of joint with implant). This code includes the interpha-langeal joint resection and the implant insertion.
Orthopedic Coding Alert
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Swanson Implant Affects Silastic Joint
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