Tiahuebner01
New
Hello,
I'm hoping for some insight on what codes people are using for intraarticular scar excision? I've always been told to use the complex repair codes but that doesn't make sense to me if the excision is from INSIDE the joint but I've searched and searched and can't seem to find a definitive answer; my inclination is to use an arthrotomy code since they're opening the joint but I'm wondering if the unlisted code might be more appropriate? My doctors perform open scar excisions from inside the knee joint regularly for patient's who are post total knee replacement.
Any help/thoughts would be greatly appreciated
Here's an excerpt from a current OP note for reference:
PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: 1. Painful right total knee arthroplasty 2. Arthrofibrosis right total knee arthroplasty 3. Painful patellar osteophyte right total knee arthroplasty.
Description of Procedure: Utilizing his previous surgical incision incision was made through the skin subcutaneous tissue medial parapatellar arthrotomy was performed. There was extensive scar suprapatellar pouch of the gutters retractors were placed and a Bovie used to remove the scar tissue. I then evaluated and used a tamp to evaluate the femoral and tibial component these were both well fixed. I everted the patella removed scar tissue from around the patellar component patellar component was well fixed I dissected around the lateral patellar bone removing the osteophyte with a rongeur.
I'm hoping for some insight on what codes people are using for intraarticular scar excision? I've always been told to use the complex repair codes but that doesn't make sense to me if the excision is from INSIDE the joint but I've searched and searched and can't seem to find a definitive answer; my inclination is to use an arthrotomy code since they're opening the joint but I'm wondering if the unlisted code might be more appropriate? My doctors perform open scar excisions from inside the knee joint regularly for patient's who are post total knee replacement.
Any help/thoughts would be greatly appreciated
Here's an excerpt from a current OP note for reference:
PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: 1. Painful right total knee arthroplasty 2. Arthrofibrosis right total knee arthroplasty 3. Painful patellar osteophyte right total knee arthroplasty.
Description of Procedure: Utilizing his previous surgical incision incision was made through the skin subcutaneous tissue medial parapatellar arthrotomy was performed. There was extensive scar suprapatellar pouch of the gutters retractors were placed and a Bovie used to remove the scar tissue. I then evaluated and used a tamp to evaluate the femoral and tibial component these were both well fixed. I everted the patella removed scar tissue from around the patellar component patellar component was well fixed I dissected around the lateral patellar bone removing the osteophyte with a rongeur.