2025 CPT code 26440
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Repair, Revision, and/or Reconstruction Procedures on the Hand and Fingers Musculoskeletal System Feed
Tenolysis, simple, flexor tendon; palm OR finger, each tendon.
Modifiers such as 51 (multiple procedures), 52 (reduced services), 76 (repeat procedure), and others may be applicable based on the specific clinical scenario.
Tenolysis is medically necessary when there are significant adhesions preventing normal tendon gliding and causing functional impairment.The medical necessity should be established through the clinical documentation showing the impact on the patient's range of motion and daily activities.
The surgeon's responsibilities include appropriate patient preparation, anesthesia administration (if applicable), making the incision, dissecting through tissue to expose the tendon, releasing the adhesions, ensuring hemostasis, and closing the wound in layers. Post-operative care may be billed separately.
In simple words: This surgery releases a finger or palm tendon that's stuck due to scar tissue or adhesions.The surgeon cuts the tissue, frees the tendon, and closes the incision.
Tenolysis is a surgical procedure involving the release of a flexor tendon in the palm or finger from adhesions.The procedure is coded per tendon released, and only one tendon in the palm or finger is addressed per code.The surgeon makes an incision, dissects through subcutaneous tissue, exposes the tendon, breaks down adhesions and scar tissue, and then closes the wound in layers.
Example 1: A patient presents with a flexor tendon adhesion in their right ring finger following a previous injury.The surgeon performs tenolysis of the affected tendon., A patient experiences limited movement in their left palm due to adhesions around a flexor tendon after a laceration.The surgeon performs tenolysis on a single affected tendon in the palm., A patient has adhesions impacting both the finger and palm flexor tendons following a complex hand injury.In this case, code 26442 would be more appropriate than 26440.
Operative report detailing the procedure, including the specific tendon(s) released, location (palm or finger), and any complications.Preoperative and postoperative diagnoses, imaging studies showing the adhesions (if applicable), and notes addressing the patient's functional outcome.
** This code is used for simple tenolysis. More complex cases may require additional codes.
- Revenue Code: P5B (AMBULATORY PROCEDURES - MUSCULOSKELETAL)
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Orthopedic Surgery, Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital (Inpatient or Outpatient)