2025 CPT code 20660
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Fracture and Dislocation Treatment Musculoskeletal System Feed
Application and removal of cranial tongs, calipers, or stereotactic frame for cervical spine traction.
Modifiers 54 and 76 are applicable depending on whether the provider performing the initial traction also performs subsequent treatments and whether a repeat application is necessary.
Medical necessity for this procedure is established when a patient has a cervical spine fracture, dislocation, or spinal cord injury requiring traction to achieve or maintain proper alignment for healing or surgical intervention.The level of medical necessity is determined by the clinical picture, severity of injury, and response to treatment.
The physician or qualified healthcare professional is responsible for preparing the patient, inserting pins, applying traction, monitoring the patient's neurological status (with imaging and/or neurological exams), and removing the device once proper alignment is achieved.
- Musculoskeletal System
- Musculoskeletal System > Surgical Procedures on the Musculoskeletal System > Fracture and Dislocation Treatment
In simple words: This code covers placing and removing a special device (cranial tongs, calipers, or a stereotactic frame) on the neck to pull on the spine.This is done to help heal broken bones or dislocations in the neck or treat spinal cord injuries.
This CPT code encompasses the application and removal of cranial tongs, calipers, or stereotactic frames used to apply traction to the cervical spine.This is performed for the treatment of cervical spine fractures, dislocations, or spinal cord injuries, and aids in maintaining spinal alignment during procedures like spinal surgery or MRI. The procedure includes the insertion of pins, application of traction force using weights, and subsequent removal of the device. Imaging guidance is reported separately.
Example 1: A patient presents with a cervical spine fracture after a motor vehicle accident.Cranial tongs are applied to provide traction, realign the vertebrae, and stabilize the fracture before surgical intervention., A patient with a cervical dislocation requires traction to facilitate reduction.Calipers are used to apply controlled traction to the cervical spine, maintaining alignment while imaging confirms successful reduction., A patient undergoes a cervical spinal fusion. A stereotactic frame is used to ensure precise positioning of the spinal instrumentation during the surgical procedure.
* Preoperative and postoperative neurological exams.* Radiographic images (X-rays, CT scans) before, during, and after traction application.* Detailed operative notes, including the type of traction device used, the amount of traction applied, and the duration of traction.* Any complications encountered during the procedure.
** Subsequent removal of the traction device is included in the basic procedure and should not be reported separately.Use of this code requires appropriate documentation to support medical necessity and justify the procedure.
- Revenue Code: P5B (AMBULATORY PROCEDURES - MUSCULOSKELETAL)
- RVU: This information is not available in the provided text.Please consult the official CPT codebook or a relevant fee schedule for RVU data.
- Global Days: The global period for this procedure is not specified in the provided text.Further information is needed from the CPT manual or other reliable sources.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: A Technical Component (TC) modifier is not applicable to this code.
- Fee Schedule: The provided text does not contain historical fee schedule data.Consult relevant fee schedules and reimbursement databases for this information.
- Specialties:Orthopedic Surgery, Neurosurgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center