Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Osteoplasty of the carpal bone, specifically the procedure denoted by CPT® Code 25394, involves the surgical shortening of one of the carpal bones in the wrist. This intervention is typically performed to correct a malformation or malalignment within the wrist joint, which may lead to functional impairments or discomfort. Prior to the surgical procedure, the physician utilizes radiographic studies to accurately determine the precise locations for bone cuts, ensuring that the surgical approach is well-planned and targeted. The operation begins with a dorsal incision made over the specific carpal bone that requires shortening. This incision allows access to the underlying structures, including the retinaculum, which is incised, and the tendons, which are retracted to provide a clear view of the wrist capsule. The capsule is then opened to expose the affected carpal bone, allowing for further surgical manipulation. The use of Kirschner wires may be employed to stabilize the bone during the procedure, with fluoroscopic imaging utilized to confirm the correct positioning of these wires. The actual shortening of the carpal bone is achieved through the use of surgical instruments such as a drill, saw, or osteotome, which excises a portion of the bone. After the necessary bone shortening is completed, the remaining segments of the carpal bone are reapproximated and secured using various fixation methods, including wires, staples, or other internal fixation devices. Finally, the joint capsule and the overlying soft tissues are meticulously closed in layers to promote optimal healing and recovery.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure of osteoplasty, carpal bone shortening, is indicated for specific conditions that affect the wrist joint. These indications may include:
The surgical procedure for osteoplasty, carpal bone shortening, involves several critical steps to ensure successful outcomes. The following outlines the procedural steps:
Post-procedure care following osteoplasty of the carpal bone involves monitoring for any complications and ensuring proper healing. Patients may be advised to limit movement of the wrist to facilitate recovery. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and the alignment of the carpal bones. Rehabilitation may be recommended to restore function and strength to the wrist, depending on the extent of the procedure and the individual patient's needs. Pain management strategies may also be implemented to ensure patient comfort during the recovery phase.
| Short Descr | REPAIR CARPAL BONE SHORTEN | Medium Descr | OSTEOPLASTY CARPAL BONE SHORTENING | Long Descr | Osteoplasty, carpal bone, shortening | 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) | 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required... | 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 | 161 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on bone |
| 22 | Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 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). | 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. | 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.) | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | 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) | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | 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
|
|---|---|---|
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2002-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2002. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.