2025 CPT code 29898
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Arthroscopy Musculoskeletal System Feed
Arthroscopy of the ankle (tibiotalar and fibulotalar joints), surgical; extensive debridement.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure (e.g., modifier 51 for multiple procedures, 76 for repeat procedure, 59 for distinct procedural service). Consult current modifier guidelines for appropriate use.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of significant ankle joint pathology (e.g., symptomatic osteochondritis dissecans, extensive articular cartilage damage, post-traumatic arthritis, loose bodies causing mechanical symptoms) that is unresponsive to conservative management and significantly impacts the patient's quality of life.
The physician or qualified healthcare professional performs the arthroscopy, including making incisions, inserting the arthroscope, instilling saline, visualizing the joint, performing extensive debridement, irrigating, checking for bleeding, and closing incisions.
In simple words: This procedure uses a small camera (arthroscope) inserted into the ankle joint to remove significant amounts of damaged tissue, like bone spurs, to relieve pain and improve movement.It's more extensive than a simple cleanup of the joint.
This CPT code encompasses surgical arthroscopy of the ankle's tibiotalar and fibulotalar joints, involving extensive debridement of damaged tissues.The procedure includes the use of an arthroscope for visualization and the removal of significant amounts of damaged tissue, potentially including bone spurs.It does not encompass limited debridement (coded separately as 29897).
Example 1: A patient presents with chronic ankle pain and limited range of motion due to extensive articular cartilage damage and osteophyte formation following a previous ankle sprain.Arthroscopy with extensive debridement is performed to remove damaged cartilage and bone spurs., A patient sustains a significant ankle injury involving a large osteochondral defect and loose bodies within the joint.Arthroscopic surgery with extensive debridement is undertaken to remove the loose bodies, repair the defect, and improve joint stability., A patient experiences persistent pain and inflammation in the ankle joint due to severe post-traumatic arthritis.Arthroscopy with extensive debridement is performed to remove damaged synovium and other inflamed tissues, reducing pain and improving mobility.
Preoperative and postoperative diagnoses, operative report detailing the extent of debridement (mentioning specific tissues removed), imaging studies (preoperative X-rays, MRI), intraoperative photographs or videos if available, and any complications encountered.
** Accurate documentation is crucial for appropriate reimbursement.The description of the extent of debridement should be precise to justify the selection of 29898 over 29897.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: TC modifier is not applicable to this code as it describes the complete procedure.
- Specialties:Orthopedic Surgery, Podiatric Surgery
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital Outpatient, Office-based surgery center