Wiki Arthrodesis of C7-T1

[tobieforte]

Hi, I'm new to spine sx, and I just want to make sure I'm coding this correctly. I'm coding the arthrodesis of C7-C8 as 22551, but it's the C8-T1 that's causing the problem. I'm not sure whether I should code it as 22552 or as 22585, but the notes state to "use 22585 in conjunction with 22554, 556, or 558" not 22551. Please help!

 

[mhstrauss]

Hi, I'm new to spine sx, and I just want to make sure I'm coding this correctly. I'm coding the arthrodesis of C7-C8 as 22551, but it's the C8-T1 that's causing the problem. I'm not sure whether I should code it as 22552 or as 22585, but the notes state to "use 22585 in conjunction with 22554, 556, or 558" not 22551. Please help!

If the same work (discectomy, decompression, arthrodesis) that was done at the first level was also done at the second level, you will use 22551 & 22552. If this is isn't the case, please give more info/post scrubbed op note here for additional guidance.

 

[AlanPechacek]

Anatomically, for the Skeletal aspect, there are only 7 Cervical Vertebrae. From the Neurological, Spinal Cord aspect, there are 8 Cervical Cord Segments with 8 Cervical Nerves. There is no way to Arthrodese C8 and T1 since there is no C8 vertebra. The lowest Cervical Fusion that can be done is C7-T1. The 8th Cervical Nerve exits the spine between C7 and T1. The difference between the Skeletal and Neurological Anatomy make things confusing.

Respectfully submitted, Alan Pechacek, M.D.
icd10orthocoder.com

 

[tobieforte]

Thank you both so much for your responses. You have both taught me something new!