2025 CPT code 27725
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Fracture and Dislocation Treatment Musculoskeletal System Feed
Repair of tibial nonunion or malunion by synostosis with the fibula.
Modifiers such as 51 (multiple procedures), 58 (staged or related procedure), 62 (two surgeons), and 76 (repeat procedure) may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances of the case.Consult the current CPT modifier guidelines for appropriate usage.
Medical necessity is established by the failure of previous conservative or surgical treatments to achieve union, significant functional impairment due to nonunion or malunion, and the expectation that synostosis with the fibula will improve bone healing and restore function.
The orthopedic surgeon is responsible for performing the surgical procedure, including incision, debridement, bone preparation, fixation of the tibia to the fibula, wound irrigation, hemostasis, and wound closure.
- Musculoskeletal System
- Musculoskeletal System > Surgical Procedures on the Musculoskeletal System > Fracture and Dislocation Treatment
In simple words: This surgery fixes a broken tibia (shin bone) that hasn't healed properly or healed incorrectly by fusing it to the fibula (the smaller bone in the lower leg). The doctor makes a cut, cleans the broken bone ends, and joins the tibia to the fibula with plates, screws, or wires to help it heal.
This procedure involves the surgical repair of a nonunion or malunion of the tibia by creating a synostosis (bony fusion) with the fibula.The surgeon will make an incision, expose the tibial fracture site, debride any fibrous tissue, and prepare the bone ends for fusion.The tibia and fibula are then secured together using plates, screws, or wires to maintain fixation and promote healing. The wound is irrigated, bleeding is controlled, and the incision is closed in layers.
Example 1: A patient presents with a tibia fracture that has failed to heal after six months.The surgeon elects to perform a synostosis with the fibula to achieve union., A patient has a malunion (improperly healed fracture) of the tibia resulting in significant deformity and pain. Synostosis with the fibula is chosen to correct the alignment and promote healing., A patient has a complex tibia fracture with significant bone loss where other fixation methods have failed. The surgeon opts for a fibula synostosis to provide additional stability and support bone healing.
Preoperative and postoperative imaging (X-rays), operative report detailing the surgical technique, type of fixation used, and intraoperative findings, pathology report if a biopsy was performed.
** The choice of fixation method (plates, screws, wires) will affect the procedural details and may impact coding in certain scenarios.Precise documentation is key to ensure accurate billing.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: The application of a technical component (TC) modifier is not applicable to this code.
- Specialties:Orthopedic Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center