Wiki ORIF of distal radial extraarticular/intraarticular

[Trendale]

Hi,
Does anyone have any information regarding codes 25607-25609. As I understand it, extra articular is situated outside of the joint and intra articular is situated inside of the joint. Does the physician has to specify/document this in the op report? If not, how do you determine the codes? What key words I should look for to determine between 25607 and 25608?

Also in 25608-25609, the internal fixation is done according to x amount of fragments. Does the physician has to document this in the op report? If not, what is it in the op report I should be looking for to determine these codes? Thanks in advance.

 

[Bella Cullen]

I think yes, the doctor would have to document whether fixation is being done in the joint(25608,25609) or on the joint surface(25607). Also, dr would have to specify how many fragments of bone in the joint received internal fixation to know if you should use 25608 or 25609.
I hope that helped.

 

[Trendale]

ORIF Distal radius

Thanks! Thats exactly what I was thinking.