2025 CPT code 28234
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Foot and Toes Musculoskeletal System Feed
Open tenotomy of an extensor tendon in the foot or toe, for each tendon.
Modifiers may be appropriate to indicate multiple procedures (51), reduced services (52), or repeat procedures (76), among others.Refer to the CPT manual for modifier guidance.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of a symptomatic condition such as a hammer toe deformity or significant extensor tendon tightness that limits range of motion and significantly impacts the patient's function and quality of life.Conservative treatment should have been attempted and documented prior to resorting to surgical intervention.
The surgeon or qualified healthcare professional is responsible for performing the incision, accessing and dividing the extensor tendon, and ensuring proper closure and dressing of the surgical site. Post-operative care may be provided by the same or other physician.
In simple words: The doctor makes a small cut to reach a tendon in your foot or toe and then cuts the tendon to relieve stiffness or correct a bent toe.
This CPT code, 28234, represents an open surgical procedure involving the division of an extensor tendon in the foot or toe.The procedure requires a surgical incision to access the tendon, which is then divided to alleviate tightness or correct a deformity such as a hammer toe.The specific tendon targeted (e.g., extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, extensor hallucis brevis) will depend on the patient's condition. The procedure includes the incision, tenotomy (division of the tendon), and closure of the surgical site with appropriate dressing.Multiple tendons may be addressed, requiring separate coding for each.
Example 1: A patient presents with a hammer toe deformity on their second toe.The surgeon performs an open tenotomy of the extensor digitorum longus tendon to correct the deformity., A patient experiences significant tightness in their extensor hallucis longus tendon, limiting range of motion in their great toe. An open tenotomy is performed to relieve the tightness and improve flexibility., A patient with multiple hammer toes requires surgical intervention.The surgeon performs open tenotomies on the extensor digitorum longus tendons of the second, third, and fourth toes.Each tenotomy is coded separately.
Preoperative assessment, including physical examination, imaging (if necessary), and documentation of the diagnosis. Intraoperative notes specifying the tendon(s) addressed, technique used, and any complications. Postoperative notes including the patient's response to the procedure, any complications, and instructions for follow-up care.
** This code is for open tenotomy.Percutaneous tenotomies are coded differently.Always confirm the exact tendon(s) involved for accurate coding.
- Revenue Code: P5B (Ambulatory Procedures - Musculoskeletal)
- RVU: This information is not available in the provided text.Consult the CMS fee schedule for the most up-to-date RVU values and reimbursement rates.
- Global Days: The global period for this procedure is not specified in the provided text.Refer to payer-specific guidelines for the applicable global period.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: This information is not available in the provided text. Consult the CPT manual for this information.
- Fee Schedule: This information is not available in the provided text.Consult the CMS fee schedule for historical fee data.
- Specialties:Podiatry, Orthopedic Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Inpatient Hospital