2025 CPT code 26593
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Musculoskeletal System Feed
Release of intrinsic hand muscles, each muscle.
Modifiers may be applicable to this code. Common modifiers include -51 (multiple procedures), -76 (repeat procedure by the same physician), -77 (repeat procedure by another physician), -LT (left side), -RT (right side), -FA-F9 (for specific fingers). Refer to current CPT guidelines for accurate modifier usage.
Medical necessity must be established by documenting the functional limitations resulting from the intrinsic muscle adhesions, failed conservative treatment (e.g., hand therapy, splinting), and the expected improvement in function following surgical release.
The physician or other qualified healthcare professional performs the surgical release of the intrinsic hand muscles. This includes making the incision, dissecting the tissue, releasing the adhesions, achieving hemostasis, and closing the surgical wound.
In simple words: This procedure frees up muscles in the hand that have become stuck due to injury or repair. These muscles control fine movements of the fingers and thumb. The surgeon makes a small cut, removes the scar tissue that's restricting the muscle, and then sews up the cut. Each muscle that's freed up is counted separately.
This procedure involves the surgical release of intrinsic hand muscles from adhesions. Intrinsic muscles of the hand include the thenar (thumb) muscles, hypothenar (little finger) muscles, interossei muscles (originating from the metacarpal bones), and the lumbrical muscles (originating from the finger and hand tendons). The procedure typically involves making an incision, dissecting through subcutaneous tissue, breaking adhesions and scar tissue over the muscle, and closing the wound with sutures. One unit of this code is used for each intrinsic muscle released.
Example 1: A patient with limited thumb movement due to adhesions following a fracture repair undergoes release of the thenar muscles (e.g., abductor pollicis brevis) to restore mobility., A patient with trigger finger and associated intrinsic muscle tightness undergoes release of the involved lumbrical muscle to improve finger extension and reduce triggering., A patient with Dupuytren's contracture and secondary intrinsic muscle shortening undergoes release of the affected intrinsic muscles to improve finger range of motion after fasciectomy.
Documentation should include the diagnosis, the specific intrinsic muscles released (e.g., thenar, hypothenar, interossei, lumbrical), the operative technique used, and the location of the incision(s).
- Specialties:Hand surgery, Orthopedic surgery, Plastic surgery
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital Outpatient, Inpatient Hospital