CPT Codes For Musculoskeletal System General Introduction Or Removal Procedures

Range CPT 20500 until CPT 20705 can be used for procedures general introduction or removal procedures on the musculoskeletal system of a patient. This range consists of 44 codes and can be divided into four subsections. CPT 20500 to 20555 cover injections and aspiration procedures, 20600 until 20615 can be used for arthrocentesis and injections for joints and bursae, the third section describes application and removal of external fixation systems procedures with CPT code 20650 until 20697, and the last section is for manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery devices procedures with CPT 20700 to CPT code 20705.

CPT Code 20500

Lay-term: CPT 20500 can be used for a therapeutic injection into a sinus tract.

Long description: Injection of sinus tract; therapeutic [separate procedure].

Short description: Therapeutic sinus injection.

CPT Code 20501

Lay-term: You can use CPT 20501 for a diagnostic injection in to a sinus tract.

Long description: Injection of sinus tract; diagnostic [sinogram].

Short description: Diagnostic sinus injection.

CPT Code 20520

Lay-term: CPT 20520 can described a simple removal of foreign body in muscle or tendon sheath.

Long description: Removal of foreign body in muscle or tendon sheath; simple.

Short description: Simple foreign body removal.

CPT Code 20525

Lay-term: This is used for deeper or more complicated removals of foreign bodies in muscle or tendon sheath.

Long description: Removal of foreign body in muscle or tendon sheath; deep or complicated.

Short description: Deep/complicated foreign body removal.

CPT Code 20526

Lay-term: CPT 20526 describes a therapeutic injection into the carpal tunnel.

Long description: Injection, therapeutic [eg, local anesthetic, corticosteroid], carpal tunnel.

Short description: Carpal tunnel therapeutic injection.

CPT Code 20527

Lay-term: CPT 20527 can be used to bill for an enzyme injection for the treatment of palmar fascial cord.

Long description: Injection, enzyme [eg, collagenase], palmar fascial cord [ie, Dupuytren’s contracture].

Short description: Enzyme injection, palmar fascial cord.

CPT Code 20550

Lay-term: This cover an injection into a single tendon sheath or ligament.

Long description: Injection[s]; single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis [eg, plantar “fascia”].

Short description: Single tendon sheath/ligament injection.

CPT Code 20551

Lay-term: CPT 20551 reimburses for an injection into a single tendon origin/insertion.

Long description: Injection[s]; single tendon origin/insertion.

Short description: Injection into single tendon origin/insertion.

CPT Code 20552

Lay-term: This code covers injections into single or multiple trigger points in 1 or 2 muscles.

Long description: Injection[s]; single or multiple trigger point[s], 1 or 2 muscle[s].

Short description: Injection into single/multiple trigger point[s] in 1 or 2 muscle[s].

CPT Code 20553

Lay-term: CPT 20553 is used for injections into single or multiple trigger points in 3 or more muscles.

Long description: Injection[s]; single or multiple trigger point[s], 3 or more muscles.

Short description: Injection into single/multiple trigger point[s] in 3 or more muscles.

CPT Code 20560

Lay-term: This code covers needle insertions without injections in 1 or 2 muscles.

Long description: Needle insertion[s] without injection[s]; 1 or 2 muscle[s].

Short description: Needle insertions w/o injections into 1 or 2 muscle[s].

CPT Code 20561

Lay-term: CPT 20561 covers needle insertions without injections in 3 or more muscles.

Long description: Needle insertion[s] without injection[s]; 3 or more muscles.

Short description: Needle insertions w/o injections into 3 or more muscle[s].

CPT Code 20555

Lay-term: This code is used for the placement of needles or catheters into muscles or soft tissue.

Long description: Placement of needles or catheters into muscle and/or soft tissue for subsequent interstitial radioelement application [at the time of or subsequent to the procedure].

Short description: Placement of needles/catheters into muscle/soft tissue.

CPT Code 20600

Lay-term: Use 20600 for arthrocentesis, aspiration, and/or injection into a small joint or bursa without ultrasound guidance.

Long description: Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, small joint or bursa [e.g., fingers, toes]; without ultrasound guidance.

Short description: Small joint/bursa aspiration/injection, w/o ultrasound guidance.

CPT Code 2060

Lay-term: CPT 20604 is reported for arthrocentesis, aspiration, and/or injection into a small joint or bursa with ultrasound guidance.

Long description: Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, small joint or bursa [eg, fingers, toes]; with ultrasound guidance, with permanent recording and reporting.

Short description: Small joint/bursa aspiration/injection, with ultrasound guidance.

CPT Code 20605

Lay-term: CPT 20605 can be used for aspiration and/or injection into an intermediate joint or bursa without ultrasound guidance.

Long description: Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, intermediate joint or bursa [e.g., temporomandibular, acromioclavicular, wrist, elbow or ankle, olecranon bursa]; without ultrasound guidance.

Short description: Joint/bursa aspiration/injection, no ultrasound.

CPT Code 20606

Lay-term: The 20606 CPT code covers aspiration and/or injection into intermediate joint or bursa with ultrasound guidance.

Long description: Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, intermediate joint or bursa [eg, temporomandibular, acromioclavicular, wrist, elbow or ankle, olecranon bursa]; with ultrasound guidance, with permanent recording and reporting.

Short description: Joint/bursa aspiration/injection with ultrasound.

CPT Code 20610

Lay-term: CPT 20610 is used for aspiration and/or injection into a major joint or bursa without ultrasound guidance.

Long description: Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa [eg, shoulder, hip, knee, subacromial bursa]; without ultrasound guidance.

Short description: Major joint/bursa aspiration/injection, no ultrasound.

CPT Code 20611

Lay-term: This code can be billed for aaspiration and/or injection into a major joint or bursa with ultrasound guidance.

Long description: Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa [eg, shoulder, hip, knee, subacromial bursa]; with ultrasound guidance, with permanent recording and reporting.

Short description: Major joint/bursa aspiration/injection with ultrasound.

CPT Code 20612

Lay-term: CPT 20612 describes aspiration and/or injection of ganglion cyst[s].

Long description: Aspiration and/or injection of ganglion cyst, any location.

Short description: Ganglion cyst aspiration/injection.

CPT Code 20615

Lay-term: CPT 20615 is used for the aspiration and injection for the the treatment of a bone cyst.

Long description: Aspiration and injection for treatment of bone cyst.

Short description: Bone cyst treatment by aspiration and injection.

CPT Code 20650

Lay-term: Use 20650 for the insertion of wire or pin with application of skeletal traction.

Long description: Insertion of wire or pin with application of skeletal traction, including removal [separate procedure].

Short description: Skeletal traction insertion of wire or pin.

CPT Code 20660

Lay-term: CPT 20660 involves the application of cranial tongs, caliper, or stereotactic frame.

Long description: Application of cranial tongs, caliper, or stereotactic frame, including removal [separate procedure].

Short description: Cranial tongs application.

CPT Code 20661

Lay-term: CPT 20661 can be billed for the application and removal of a cranial halo.

Long description: Application of halo, including removal; cranial.

Short description: Halo application and removal, cranial.

CPT Code 20662

Lay-term: CPT 20662 involves the application and removal of a pelvic halo.

Long description: Application of halo, including removal; pelvic.

Short description: Halo application and removal, pelvic.

CPT Code 20663

Lay-term: CPT 20663 should be used to apply and remove a femoral halo.

Long description: Application of halo, including removal; femoral.

Short description: Halo application and removal, femoral.

CPT Code 20664

Lay-term: Use 20664 for the application and removal of a cranial halo with 6 or more pins placed, for thin skull osteology.

Long description: Application of halo, including removal, cranial, 6 or more pins placed, for thin skull osteology [e.g., pediatric patients, hydrocephalus, osteogenesis imperfecta].

Short description: Halo application and removal, cranial, 6+ pins.

CPT Code 20665

Lay-term: CPT 20665 encompasses the removal of tongs or a halo applied by another individual.

Long description: Removal of tongs or halo applied by another individual.

Short description: Removal of tongs or halo, does not need to be the same individual who did the initial application.

CPT Code 20670

Lay-term: This code describes the removal of a superficial implant such as a buried wire, pin, or rod .

Long description: Removal of implant; superficial [eg, buried wire, pin or rod] [separate procedure].

Short description: Superficial implant removal.

CPT Code 20680

Lay-term: CPT 20680 is used for the removal of a deep implant such as a buried wire, pin, screw, metal band, nail, rod or plate.

Long description : Removal of implant; deep [eg, buried wire, pin, screw, metal band, nail, rod or plate].

Short description: Deep implant removal.

CPT Code 20690

Lay-term: Use 20690 to apply a uniplane, unilateral, external fixation system.

Long description: Application of a uniplane (pins or wires in 1 plane), unilateral, external fixation system.

Short description: Uniplane, unilateral, external fixation system application.

CPT Code 20692

Lay-term: CPT code 20692 involves applying a multiplane, unilateral, external fixation system.

Long description : Application of a multiplane (pins or wires in more than 1 plane), unilateral, external fixation system [eg, Ilizarov, Monticelli type].

Short description: Multiplane, unilateral, external fixation system application.

CPT Code 20693

Lay-term: This CPT 20693 involves adjustments or revisions to an external fixation system that requires anesthesia.

Long description: Adjustment or revision of external fixation system requiring anesthesia [eg, new pin[s] or wire[s] and/or new ring[s] or bar[s]].

Short description: External fixation system adjustment or revision.

CPT Code 20694:

Lay-term: CPT 20694 involves the removal under anesthesia, of an external fixation system.

Long description: Removal, under anesthesia, of external fixation system.

Short description: External fixation system removal under anesthesia.

CPT Code 20696

Lay-term: Use code CPT 20696 for application of multiplane, unilateral external fixation with stereotactic computer-assisted adjustment that includes imaging.

Long description: Application of multiplane (pins or wires in more than 1 plane), unilateral, external fixation with stereotactic computer-assisted adjustment [eg, spatial frame], including imaging; initial and subsequent alignment[s], assessment[s], and computation[s] of adjustment schedule[s].

Short description: Multiplane unilateral external fixation with stereotactic adjustment.

CPT Code 20697

Lay-term: CPT 20697 involves the application of multiplane, unilateral external fixation with stereotactic computer-assisted adjustments that includes imaging and exchange of strut.

Long description : Application of multiplane (pins or wires in more than 1 plane), unilateral, external fixation with stereotactic computer-assisted adjustment [eg, spatial frame], including imaging; exchange [ie, removal and replacement] of strut, each.

Short description: Multiplane unilateral external fixation with stereotactic adjustment and strut exchange.

CPT Code 20700

Lay-term: CPT 20700 is for the manual preparation and insertion of deep drug-delivery devices.

Long description: Manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery device[s], deep [e.g., subfascial] [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure].

Short description: Deep drug-delivery device insertion.

CPT Code 20701:

Lay-term: Use 20701 for the removal of deep drug-delivery devices.

Long description: Removal of drug-delivery device[s], deep [e.g., subfascial] [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure].

Short description: Deep drug-delivery device removal.

CPT Code 20702:

Lay-term: CPT 20702 should be used to manually prepare and insert intramedullary drug-delivery devices.

Long description: Manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery device[s], intramedullary [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure].

Short description: Intramedullary drug-delivery device insertion.

CPT Code 20703

Lay-term: You may use 20703 for the removal of intramedullary drug-delivery devices.

Long description: Removal of drug-delivery device[s], intramedullary [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure].

Short description: Intramedullary drug-delivery device removal.

CPT Code 20704

Lay-term: CPT 20704 is for the manual preparation and insertion of intra-articular drug-delivery devices.

Long description: Manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery device[s], intra-articular [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure].

Short description: Intra-articular drug- delivery device insertion.

CPT Code 20705

Lay-term: Use 20705 for the removal of intra-articular drug-delivery devices.

Long description: Removal of drug-delivery device[s], intra-articular [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure].

Short description: Intra-articular drug-delivery device rremoval.

Source

https://www.aapc.com/codes/cpt-codes-range/20500-20705/