2025 CPT code 22532
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Spine Musculoskeletal System Feed
Arthrodesis, lateral extracavitary technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression); thoracic.
Modifiers 22 (increased procedural services), 50 (bilateral procedure), and potentially others, may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances of the procedure.Always consult the most current coding guidelines for appropriate modifier use.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of chronic pain and/or instability in the thoracic spine, documented by a thorough clinical evaluation and relevant imaging studies.The procedure must be deemed necessary to alleviate pain and improve function.
The clinical responsibility includes pre-operative assessment, surgical planning, surgical execution (including incision, dissection, bone preparation, fusion, and closure), post-operative care, and follow-up.
In simple words: This code describes a type of spinal fusion surgery where the surgeon works from the side of the spine to join two vertebrae in the upper back.This approach is used to alleviate chronic pain related to spinal problems.
This CPT code represents a surgical procedure involving arthrodesis (spinal fusion) of a single thoracic vertebral segment using a lateral extracavitary approach.The procedure includes a minimal discectomy to prepare the intervertebral space for fusion, but excludes decompression procedures.The surgeon accesses the spine laterally, avoiding the anterior or posterior approaches, to achieve a wider surgical field.The procedure is indicated for various spinal conditions causing chronic pain, such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or spinal injuries.
Example 1: A patient with chronic pain due to a degenerative disc disease at T8-T9 undergoes a lateral extracavitary arthrodesis.The surgeon uses a minimal discectomy to prepare the interspace for bone graft placement., A patient with a T12-L1 fracture dislocation requires spinal stabilization and fusion.A lateral extracavitary approach is chosen for better visualization and easier access to the fracture site. , A patient suffering from thoracic spinal stenosis with associated chronic pain undergoes a lateral extracavitary arthrodesis to decompress the spinal canal and stabilize the affected segments.
Comprehensive medical history, physical examination, imaging studies (X-rays, CT scans, MRI), surgical notes detailing the approach, techniques used, and the extent of the procedure, and post-operative care instructions.
** This procedure may be part of a larger surgical plan that involves additional codes for bone grafting, instrumentation, or other associated services.Always ensure accurate and complete documentation to support the medical necessity and the reported codes.The information provided here is for general guidance only. Always consult the most up-to-date CPT manual, NCCI edits, and payer-specific guidelines for accurate coding and reimbursement.
- Revenue Code: P3D (MAJOR PROCEDURE, ORTHOPEDIC - OTHER)
- RVU: This information requires access to current Relative Value Units (RVUs) data, which is not available in the provided sources.RVUs vary by geographic location and payer.
- Global Days: The global period for this procedure varies depending on the payer and the complexity of the surgery.Consult the specific payer guidelines for details.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable for this code.The code encompasses the entire procedure.
- Fee Schedule: Historical fee schedule data is not available from the provided sources.Consult historical fee schedules from relevant payers for this information.
- Specialties:Orthopedic Surgery, Neurosurgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Outpatient Hospital