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Official Description

Manipulation, elbow, under anesthesia

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) of the elbow is a specialized procedure aimed at restoring mobility to the elbow joint. This intervention is particularly beneficial for patients who have developed fibrous adhesions, also known as arthrofibrosis, as a result of previous surgical interventions or fractures in the elbow region. The presence of these adhesions can significantly limit the range of motion, causing discomfort and functional impairment. During the procedure, an anesthetic is administered to ensure that the patient remains comfortable and pain-free. The physician then carefully manipulates the elbow through its full range of motion, which includes flexion (bending), extension (straightening), supination (rotating the forearm so the palm faces up), and pronation (rotating the forearm so the palm faces down). It is crucial for the physician to apply adequate force to effectively rupture the adhesions while simultaneously avoiding excessive force that could potentially harm the joint structures or surrounding bones. This delicate balance is essential for achieving the desired outcome of improved mobility and function in the elbow joint.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) of the elbow is indicated for patients experiencing limited range of motion due to the formation of fibrous adhesions following surgical procedures or fractures. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Arthrofibrosis - The development of fibrous tissue that restricts movement in the elbow joint.
  • Post-surgical stiffness - Limited mobility resulting from surgical interventions on the elbow.
  • Fracture-related complications - Adhesions that form after an elbow fracture, leading to decreased range of motion.

2. Procedure

The procedure for manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) of the elbow involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment and patient safety. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Anesthesia administration - The first step involves administering an appropriate anesthetic to the patient. This is crucial for ensuring that the patient is comfortable and pain-free throughout the manipulation process.
  • Assessment of range of motion - Once the patient is adequately anesthetized, the physician assesses the current range of motion of the elbow joint. This assessment helps to identify the specific limitations caused by adhesions.
  • Manipulation of the elbow - The physician then proceeds to manipulate the elbow through its full range of motion, which includes flexion, extension, supination, and pronation. The physician applies sufficient force to rupture the fibrous adhesions while being cautious not to exert excessive force that could damage the joint structures or bones.
  • Post-manipulation assessment - After the manipulation is completed, the physician reassesses the range of motion to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure and to determine if further intervention is necessary.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the manipulation under anesthesia, patients are typically monitored for a short period to ensure that they recover from the anesthetic effects. Post-procedure care may include recommendations for physical therapy to further enhance mobility and strength in the elbow joint. Patients may also be advised on pain management strategies and the importance of following up with their physician to monitor progress and address any concerns. It is essential for patients to adhere to the prescribed rehabilitation plan to achieve optimal outcomes and prevent the recurrence of adhesions.

Short Descr MNPJ ELBOW UNDER ANES
Medium Descr MANIPULATION ELBOW UNDER ANESTHESIA
Long Descr Manipulation, elbow, under anesthesia
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 162 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on joints
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
ET Emergency services
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2023-01-01 Note Short description changed.
2002-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2002.
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