2025 CPT code 28126

Partial or complete resection of the phalangeal base of a toe.

This code is reported per toe. If multiple toes are treated, the code should be reported multiple times with the appropriate number of units. This code is not to be reported in conjunction with codes for radical resection of bone tumors.

Modifiers may be applicable in certain situations, such as modifier 51 for multiple procedures, modifier 76 for repeat procedures, or modifier 59 for distinct procedural services.

Medical necessity for this code must be supported by documentation showing that the procedure was performed to address a specific medical condition affecting the phalangeal base, such as infection, deformity, or trauma.

The physician is responsible for preparing the patient, administering anesthesia, making the incision, dissecting tissues, resecting the bone, and closing the wound.

In simple words: The surgeon removes part or all of the base of the toe bone.This is done through a small cut, and the surgeon carefully moves the soft tissues and tendons to reach the bone.The affected part of the bone is removed, and the cut is stitched closed. This procedure can be performed on each affected toe.

This procedure involves the partial or complete removal of the base of a toe phalanx (bone). It is typically performed for conditions such as infections, deformities, or trauma affecting the toe joint. The procedure includes the incision, dissection of soft tissues and tendons, resection of the affected bone, and closure of the surgical wound.

Example 1: A patient presents with an infected phalangeal base of the great toe. The physician performs a complete resection of the base of the proximal phalanx to remove the infected bone., A patient with a rigid mallet toe deformity undergoes a partial resection of the proximal phalanx base of the second toe to correct the deformity., A patient sustains a traumatic injury to the third toe, resulting in a fractured phalangeal base. The physician performs a partial resection of the base to stabilize the joint.

Documentation should include the operative report detailing the procedure, including the size and location of the resection, any associated procedures performed (e.g., tenotomy, syndactylization), and the reason for the procedure. Preoperative and postoperative diagnoses should be documented.

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