2025 CPT code 29879
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Musculoskeletal System Feed
Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; abrasion arthroplasty (includes chondroplasty where necessary) or multiple drilling or microfracture.
Modifiers such as 51 (Multiple Procedures), 76 (Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician), 54 (Surgical Care Only), 55 (Postoperative Management Only), 73 (Discontinued Outpatient Hospital/ASC Procedure Prior to the Administration of Anesthesia), 74 (Discontinued Outpatient Hospital/ASC Procedure After Administration of Anesthesia), RT (Right side), and LT (Left side) may be applicable.
Medical necessity should be established by documenting the patient's persistent knee pain and functional limitations despite conservative treatment, confirming the presence of a cartilage defect through appropriate imaging, and demonstrating that the chosen procedure (abrasion arthroplasty, drilling, or microfracture) is appropriate for the specific type and extent of the cartilage damage.
The surgeon prepares the patient and administers anesthesia. Small incisions are made around the knee, and the arthroscope is inserted. Saline solution is used to expand the joint space. The surgeon inspects the joint and utilizes instruments for abrasion arthroplasty, drilling, or microfracture, depending on the cartilage damage. The area is then irrigated, bleeding is checked, instruments are removed, and the incisions are closed.
In simple words: The surgeon uses a small camera and tiny instruments inserted through small incisions in your knee to examine and repair damaged cartilage.The procedure may involve smoothing rough cartilage, drilling small holes, or creating tiny fractures to stimulate new cartilage growth. This helps to relieve pain and improve knee joint mobility.
This code describes a surgical procedure performed on the knee joint using an arthroscope. It involves abrasion arthroplasty (which includes chondroplasty if needed), multiple drilling, or microfracture techniques to address damaged cartilage.Abrasion arthroplasty aims to stimulate cartilage regeneration by creating small fractures in the subchondral bone. Chondroplasty smooths damaged cartilage, while microfracture promotes the growth of new cartilage by creating tiny fractures in the underlying bone.
Example 1: A 25-year-old basketball player with a localized area of damaged cartilage on the femoral condyle undergoes arthroscopic abrasion arthroplasty to stimulate cartilage regeneration and return to sports., A 50-year-old patient with mild osteoarthritis and roughened cartilage undergoes arthroscopic chondroplasty and microfracture to smooth the damaged cartilage and promote new cartilage growth, aiming to alleviate pain and improve joint function. , A 30-year-old patient with a small, contained cartilage defect undergoes arthroscopic drilling to encourage cartilage repair and prevent further deterioration.
Documentation should include details of the patient's knee pain and functional limitations, prior treatments, diagnostic imaging results (e.g., MRI, X-ray), arthroscopic findings, details of the specific procedure performed (abrasion arthroplasty, drilling, or microfracture), size and location of the treated cartilage defect, instruments used, and any complications encountered.
- Revenue Code: P8A
- Specialties:Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital Outpatient, Office