2025 CPT code 25525
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Fracture and/or Dislocation Procedures on the Forearm and Wrist Musculoskeletal System Feed
Open treatment of a radial shaft fracture with internal fixation and closed treatment of a distal radioulnar joint dislocation (Galeazzi fracture/dislocation), with or without percutaneous skeletal fixation.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure.Examples include modifier 50 (bilateral procedure), 51 (multiple procedures), 54 (surgical care only), 76 (repeat procedure), and others as clinically indicated.
The medical necessity for this procedure is established by the presence of a displaced radial shaft fracture and a distal radioulnar joint dislocation causing significant functional impairment.Open treatment is often necessary for displaced fractures to achieve anatomical reduction and stable fixation. Closed treatment of the dislocation may be sufficient if the reduction is stable without fixation.
The orthopedic surgeon performs the open reduction and internal fixation of the radial shaft fracture.They also perform the closed reduction and percutaneous stabilization of the distal radioulnar joint dislocation.This may involve the use of fluoroscopy for accurate placement of fixation devices. Postoperative care, including wound management and cast application, is also the responsibility of the surgeon.
- Musculoskeletal System
- Musculoskeletal System > Surgical Procedures on the Musculoskeletal System > Fracture and/or Dislocation Procedures on the Forearm and Wrist
In simple words: The doctor surgically repairs a broken radius bone (in the forearm) and a dislocated wrist joint. This may involve inserting metal plates or screws to hold the broken bone together and using pins or wires to stabilize the dislocated joint. The doctor makes an incision to repair the bone break and may or may not make an incision to repair the joint dislocation.
This code encompasses the open treatment of a fracture of the radius bone's shaft, including internal fixation (such as plates, screws, or wires) if performed.It also includes the closed treatment of a dislocation at the distal radioulnar joint (the joint where the radius and ulna meet near the wrist), with or without percutaneous skeletal fixation (pins or wires inserted through the skin to stabilize the bones).This procedure is specifically for a Galeazzi fracture-dislocation, a combined fracture of the radius shaft and dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint.
Example 1: A patient presents after a fall with a Galeazzi fracture-dislocation. The surgeon performs an open reduction and internal fixation of the radial shaft fracture using a plate and screws.The distal radioulnar dislocation is reduced closed and stabilized with percutaneous Kirschner wires., A patient with a high-energy trauma sustains a Galeazzi fracture-dislocation.The surgeon performs open reduction and internal fixation of the radial shaft fracture, utilizing an intramedullary nail.The radioulnar dislocation is reduced closed and the surgeon chooses not to perform percutaneous skeletal fixation., A patient experiences a Galeazzi fracture-dislocation from a low-energy mechanism of injury. The surgeon performs open reduction and internal fixation of the radial shaft fracture using a plate and screws. Closed reduction of the distal radioulnar dislocation is performed, and percutaneous pinning is used for additional stabilization.
** The provided description focuses primarily on the surgical component.Additional codes may be required to capture other services rendered, such as anesthesia, imaging, and evaluation and management.
- Revenue Code: P3D (Major Procedure, Orthopedic - Other)
- RVU: This information is not available in the provided text and requires further research into current fee schedules and relative value unit (RVU) databases.
- Global Days : The global period for this procedure is not specified in the provided text.This information should be obtained from a relevant fee schedule or coding resource.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: The application of a technical component (TC) modifier is dependent on the specific circumstances of the procedure and the involved physicians. Further clarification is needed for accurate application.
- Fee Schedule : Historical fee schedule data is not available in this document. Access to historical fee schedules requires searching relevant databases (e.g., CMS data, private payer fee schedules).
- Specialties:Orthopedic Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center