2025 CPT code 62282
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System - Injection, Drainage, or Aspiration Procedures on the Spine and Spinal Cord Surgery Feed
Injection/infusion of a neurolytic substance (e.g., alcohol, phenol, iced saline solutions), with or without other therapeutic substances; epidural, lumbar, sacral (caudal).
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure (e.g., 59 for a distinct procedural service, 76 for a repeat procedure).
The procedure is medically necessary when conservative treatment options (physical therapy, medication) have failed to provide adequate pain relief and the patient experiences significant pain interfering with daily life.Documentation of failed conservative treatment must be provided.
An anesthesiologist or interventional pain management specialist typically performs this procedure.Responsibilities include patient positioning, sterilization, needle insertion under fluoroscopic guidance, contrast administration (if needed), neurolytic injection/infusion, and post-procedure care.
- Surgery
- Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System > Injection, Drainage, or Aspiration Procedures on the Spine and Spinal Cord
In simple words: The doctor injects or infuses medicine into the lower back area to relieve severe pain caused by nerve problems, or pain after surgery. This medicine kills specific nerves to eliminate pain.
This CPT code encompasses the injection or infusion of a neurolytic agent (a substance designed to destroy nerve tissue), along with other therapeutic medications if necessary, into the epidural space of the lumbar or sacral spine.The procedure aims to alleviate severe pain stemming from nerve root compression, unexplained or complex postoperative pain, or spasms associated with spasticity or paraplegia.Fluoroscopic guidance and contrast injection are integral components of this procedure.
Example 1: A patient with chronic low back pain secondary to degenerative disc disease undergoes an epidural injection of phenol and lidocaine at the L4-L5 level to relieve radicular pain.Fluoroscopic guidance is used to ensure accurate placement., A patient with post-surgical pain after lumbar spinal fusion experiences severe pain due to scar tissue formation.An epidural injection of a neurolytic agent is administered to lyse adhesions and reduce pain., A patient presents with intractable neuropathic pain following a traumatic spinal cord injury.A multi-level lumbar epidural neurolysis using a catheter is performed over several days to treat the pain.
Detailed medical history and physical examination notes, imaging studies (X-rays, CT, MRI), consent form, operative report documenting needle placement, contrast images, type and volume of medications administered, and post-procedure assessment.
** The terms "subarachnoid" and "epidural" refer to different spaces surrounding the spinal cord.Subarachnoid refers to the space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater, while epidural refers to the space outside the dura mater.Code 62282 specifically targets the epidural space in the lumbar or sacral regions.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Anesthesiology, Pain Management, Neurosurgery
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center