Wiki Sciatic nerve injection at popliteal crease

[coderguy1939]

AT the surgeon's request the anesthesiologist performed a sciatic nerve injection at the popliteal crease for post op pain. Usually, this is performed around the hip area and would be coded 64445. Can the same code be used no matter where the sciatic nerve is injected or would 64450 be more appropriate? Thanks.

 

[elenax]

I would still code 64445 because a sciatic nerve injection is also called a popliteal block the difference is the point location of the injection; the description of the 64445 indicates that The physician anesthetizes the sciatic nerve with a single injection to provide anesthesia and pain control for the distal lower extremity; does not specify that the approach have to be from the hip to be a sciatic nerve injection.

In the other hand I think 64450 would work just fine as well.

Hope this helps!

 

[coderguy1939]

Thanks, I appreciate your input.