2025 CPT code 27648
Injection procedure for ankle arthrography.
Modifiers such as 50 (bilateral), LT (left side), RT (right side), 76 (repeat procedure by same physician), 77 (repeat procedure by another physician), and 22 (increased procedural services) may be applicable.
Medical necessity for 27648 is established by the clinical indication for the ankle arthrogram. This may include persistent pain, swelling, limited range of motion, suspected infection, or other conditions where imaging of the ankle joint is required for diagnosis or treatment planning.
The physician prepares the patient, inserts a needle into the ankle joint under fluoroscopic guidance, injects contrast material (dye and/or air), may aspirate joint fluid for analysis, and removes the needle.
In simple words: The doctor injects dye into your ankle joint to make it show up clearly on an X-ray. This helps them see the inside of your ankle and diagnose problems.
This code represents the injection of contrast material into the ankle joint for arthrography, a radiological procedure used to visualize the joint's internal structures. It involves inserting a needle into the ankle joint under fluoroscopic guidance and injecting a contrast agent, sometimes combined with air for a double-contrast study. Joint fluid may be aspirated for laboratory analysis. This code does not include the radiological supervision and interpretation, which is reported separately using code 73615.
Example 1: A patient presents with chronic ankle pain and limited range of motion. An ankle arthrogram is ordered to evaluate for arthritis or cartilage damage. The physician performs the injection procedure (27648) and a radiologist supervises and interprets the images (73615)., A patient has persistent ankle swelling after a sprain. An arthrogram is requested to assess for ligament tears or other joint abnormalities. Code 27648 is reported for the injection., A patient with suspected ankle infection undergoes an arthrogram to visualize the joint and potentially aspirate fluid for culture. The injection is reported with 27648.
Documentation should include details of the injection procedure, including the type and amount of contrast material used, fluoroscopic guidance confirmation, any joint fluid aspiration, and the patient's tolerance of the procedure. The medical necessity for the arthrogram should also be documented, such as relevant history, physical exam findings, and prior imaging results.
- Specialties:Radiology, Orthopedic Surgery, Podiatry
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center, and other outpatient facilities