How To Use CPT Code 24341

CPT 24341 describes the repair of a tendon or muscle wound in the upper arm or elbow. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 24341?

CPT 24341 is used to describe the repair of a tendon or muscle wound in the upper arm or elbow. This code is used when a healthcare provider performs a primary or secondary repair of each tendon or muscle in the affected area, excluding the rotator cuff.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 24341 is: ‘Repair, tendon or muscle, upper arm or elbow, each tendon or muscle, primary or secondary (excludes rotator cuff).’

3. Procedure

In this procedure, the healthcare provider repairs a tendon or muscle wound in the upper arm or elbow. The patient is appropriately prepped and anesthetized before the procedure begins. The provider identifies the wounded area and extends the wound if necessary to locate the affected muscle or tendon. Care is taken to protect adjacent neurovascular structures. The wound is flushed to remove excess blood and debris, and the muscle or tendon is connected using sutures. The provider then closes the skin in layers and applies a dressing.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible for CPT 24341 are those with a tendon or muscle wound in the upper arm or elbow that requires repair. The procedure can be performed as a primary repair or as a secondary repair following a previous procedure. The code specifically excludes repairs of the rotator cuff.

5. When to use CPT code 24341

CPT code 24341 should be used when a healthcare provider performs a repair of a tendon or muscle wound in the upper arm or elbow. This code is appropriate for both primary and secondary repairs, excluding repairs of the rotator cuff.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 24341, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis and the need for tendon or muscle repair
• Details of the procedure, including the specific tendon or muscle repaired
• Date of the procedure
• Start and end time of the procedure
• Any additional procedures performed during the same session
• Any complications or unexpected findings
• Signature of the healthcare provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 24341, ensure that the procedure performed is a repair of a tendon or muscle wound in the upper arm or elbow. This code should not be reported for repairs of the rotator cuff. There are no specific guidelines regarding reporting CPT 24341 with other codes.

8. Historical information

CPT 24341 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1997. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to CPT 24341

Five similar codes to CPT 24341 include:

• CPT 24342: Repair, tendon or muscle, upper arm or elbow, each tendon or muscle, secondary (excludes rotator cuff)
• CPT 24343: Repair, tendon or muscle, upper arm or elbow, each tendon or muscle, primary or secondary, with graft (includes obtaining graft)
• CPT 24344: Repair, tendon or muscle, upper arm or elbow, each tendon or muscle, primary or secondary, with free graft (includes obtaining graft)
• CPT 24345: Repair, tendon or muscle, upper arm or elbow, each tendon or muscle, primary or secondary, with pedicle graft (includes obtaining graft)
• CPT 24346: Repair, tendon or muscle, upper arm or elbow, each tendon or muscle, primary or secondary, with allograft (includes obtaining graft)

9. Examples

1. A healthcare provider repairing a torn biceps tendon in the upper arm.
2. A surgeon repairing a lacerated triceps muscle in the elbow.
3. An orthopedic specialist repairing a torn brachialis muscle in the upper arm.
4. A sports medicine physician repairing a ruptured flexor tendon in the elbow.
5. A hand surgeon repairing a severed extensor tendon in the upper arm.
6. An orthopedic surgeon repairing a torn pronator teres muscle in the elbow.
7. A plastic surgeon repairing a lacerated biceps brachii muscle in the upper arm.
8. An orthopedic specialist repairing a torn supinator muscle in the elbow.
9. A sports medicine physician repairing a ruptured triceps tendon in the upper arm.
10. A hand surgeon repairing a severed brachioradialis muscle in the elbow.