2025 CPT code 22326
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Musculoskeletal System Feed
Open treatment and/or reduction of vertebral fracture(s) and/or dislocation(s), posterior approach, 1 fractured vertebra or dislocated segment; cervical.
Modifiers applicable include 22 (increased procedural services), 51 (multiple procedures), 54 (surgical care only), 59 (distinct procedural service), 62 (two surgeons), 76 (repeat procedure by same physician), 77 (repeat procedure by another physician), 78, 79, 80, 81, 82.
Medical necessity for 22326 is established when the fracture or dislocation is unstable, causing neurological symptoms, or not amenable to conservative treatment. The documentation should clearly support the need for surgical intervention.
The surgeon makes an incision on the patient's back to access the cervical spine. They realign the fractured or dislocated vertebra and may use instruments like screws, plates, or rods to stabilize it. Bone graft may be used to promote healing. The incision is then closed.
In simple words: The doctor repairs a broken or dislocated bone in your neck through an incision on your back. This procedure is done when the bones in your neck are fractured or out of place, usually due to an injury.
This code describes a surgical procedure to treat a fracture or dislocation of a vertebra in the cervical spine (neck) through a posterior approach. The procedure may involve open reduction (realignment of the bones), internal fixation, and/or bone grafting, though these components are not always required.
Example 1: A patient sustains a fracture of the C5 vertebra in a car accident. The surgeon performs an open reduction and internal fixation using plates and screws, coded as 22326., A patient has a dislocated C6 vertebra after a fall. The surgeon performs an open reduction of the dislocation, without internal fixation, coded as 22326., A patient with a C7 vertebral fracture undergoes open treatment with bone grafting, but no fixation is required. This would also be coded as 22326.
Operative report detailing the type of fracture/dislocation, the surgical approach, the method of reduction, type of instrumentation used (if any), bone graft details, and any complications. Imaging reports (X-ray, CT, MRI) confirming the diagnosis. Medical necessity documentation explaining the reason for surgical intervention.
** The global period for 22326 is 90 days.