2025 CPT code 29876
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Musculoskeletal System Feed
Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; synovectomy, major, two or more compartments (e.g., medial or lateral).
Modifiers may be applicable. Modifier 51 is used when performed with other procedures. Other modifiers may be necessary depending on specific circumstances.
Medical necessity for this procedure must be established by documenting the patient's condition and failed response to non-surgical treatments.The documentation should support the need for surgical intervention to alleviate pain, improve function, and address the underlying pathology.
The physician prepares the patient and administers anesthesia, makes small incisions, inserts the arthroscope and instruments, performs the synovectomy, irrigates the area, controls bleeding, removes instruments, and closes the incisions.
In simple words: A procedure where a small camera and instruments are inserted into your knee joint through tiny cuts to remove damaged tissue lining the joint in two or more areas of the knee. This helps reduce pain and improve movement.
This code describes a surgical procedure where an arthroscope is used to examine the inside of the knee joint and perform a major synovectomy.A major synovectomy involves the removal of inflamed or damaged synovial membrane from two or more compartments of the knee, such as the medial and lateral compartments.The procedure is minimally invasive, using small incisions to insert the arthroscope and instruments.
Example 1: A patient with persistent knee pain and swelling due to synovitis in the medial and lateral compartments, unresponsive to conservative treatment, undergoes arthroscopic synovectomy of both compartments., A patient with rheumatoid arthritis experiences significant pain and limited range of motion in their knee.Arthroscopic synovectomy is performed in the superior and inferior medial compartments to remove the inflamed synovial tissue., Following a knee injury, a patient develops localized synovitis in the suprapatellar pouch and lateral compartment.Arthroscopic synovectomy is performed to address the inflammation in both affected areas.
Documentation should include details of the patient's symptoms, failed conservative treatments, pre-operative diagnosis, intra-operative findings (including specific compartments involved), the procedure performed, and post-operative plan.
- Revenue Code: P8A
- Specialties:Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital Outpatient, Inpatient Hospital (less common)