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Tenolysis, specifically for a single flexor tendon in the palm or finger, is a surgical procedure aimed at restoring motion in the hand and/or fingers. This procedure is necessary when scar tissue forms around the flexor tendon due to trauma or a disease process, which can severely limit movement. The surgery involves making an incision over the affected tendon, allowing the surgeon to access the underlying structures. Once the incision is made, the surrounding soft tissues are carefully dissected to expose the tendon. The primary goal of the tenolysis is to identify the affected flexor tendon and sever any adhesions that have developed along its length, which are responsible for restricting movement. After the adhesions are released, the surgeon evaluates the range of motion to ensure that the procedure has successfully restored function. Finally, the surgical wound is meticulously closed in layers, and a dressing is applied to protect the area as it heals. It is important to note that the CPT® code 26440 is specifically used for reporting the tenolysis of each separate tendon treated in the palm or finger, distinguishing it from other related procedures such as CPT® code 26442, which involves more extensive tenolysis along the entire length of the tendon.
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Tenolysis of a flexor tendon is indicated in cases where there is significant scarring or adhesion formation around the tendon, which can occur due to various factors. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:
The tenolysis procedure involves several critical steps to ensure the successful release of adhesions and restoration of tendon function. The following outlines the procedural steps:
Post-procedure care following tenolysis is essential for optimal recovery and includes monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection, managing pain, and ensuring proper wound care. Patients may be advised to engage in physical therapy or rehabilitation exercises to improve range of motion and strength in the affected hand or finger. The recovery process may vary depending on the extent of the procedure and the individual patient's healing response. Regular follow-up appointments are typically scheduled to assess healing progress and to make any necessary adjustments to the rehabilitation plan.
| Short Descr | RELEASE PALM/FINGER TENDON | Medium Descr | TENOLYSIS FLEXOR TENDON PALM/FINGER EACH TENDON | Long Descr | Tenolysis, flexor tendon; palm OR finger, each tendon | 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) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | 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 | Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal | MUE | 6 | CCS Clinical Classification | 160 - Other therapeutic procedures on muscles and tendons |
| 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). | F8 | Right hand, fourth digit | F7 | Right hand, third digit | F2 | Left hand, third digit | F3 | Left hand, fourth digit | 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. | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | F6 | Right hand, second digit | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | F4 | Left hand, fifth digit | 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.) | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | F1 | Left hand, second digit | 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. | 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. | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 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.) | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | F5 | Right hand, thumb | F9 | Right hand, fifth digit | FA | Left hand, thumb | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | T7 | Right foot, third digit | TA | Left foot, great toe | X1 | Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care |
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| 2003-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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