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Official Description

Treatment of tarsal bone fracture (except talus and calcaneus); with manipulation, each

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Closed treatment of a tarsal bone fracture, specifically excluding the talus and calcaneus, involves a procedure where the fractured bone is treated without the need for surgical exposure. The tarsal bones in question include the cuboid, navicular, and three cuneiform bones. In cases where multiple tarsal bones are fractured, each fracture is reported separately to ensure accurate coding and billing. Prior to treatment, radiographs are obtained to confirm the presence of the fracture. A thorough neurovascular examination is conducted to assess the integrity of the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the injury site. The procedure differentiates between nondisplaced fractures, which may require less intervention, and displaced fractures, which necessitate manipulation to realign the bone fragments. For nondisplaced fractures, as indicated by CPT® Code 28450, treatment may involve immobilization with a cast or brace without the need for manipulation. In contrast, CPT® Code 28455 pertains to the treatment of displaced fractures, where the fractured fragments are manually manipulated back into their proper anatomical position. Following the manipulation, additional radiographs are taken to confirm that the bone fragments are correctly aligned before applying a cast or brace for immobilization during the healing process.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure is indicated for the treatment of fractures of the anterior tarsal bones, which include the cuboid, navicular, and three cuneiform bones, excluding fractures of the talus and calcaneus. The specific indications for performing this procedure include:

  • Displaced Tarsal Bone Fracture A fracture where the bone fragments are not in their normal anatomical position, requiring manipulation to restore alignment.
  • Multiple Tarsal Bone Fractures Instances where more than one of the anterior tarsal bones is fractured, necessitating separate reporting for each treated fracture.
  • Confirmation of Fracture Radiographic evidence confirming the presence of a fracture prior to treatment.
  • Neurovascular Integrity A need to ensure that the nerves and blood vessels at the injury site are intact before proceeding with treatment.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the closed treatment of a tarsal bone fracture with manipulation involves several key steps:

  • Step 1: Radiographic Evaluation Initially, radiographs are obtained to confirm the presence and extent of the fracture. This imaging is crucial for determining the appropriate course of treatment and for documenting the injury.
  • Step 2: Neurovascular Examination A comprehensive neurovascular exam is performed to assess the condition of the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the fracture site. This step is essential to ensure that there are no complications that could affect the treatment outcome.
  • Step 3: Manipulation of Fracture If the fracture is determined to be displaced, the next step involves the manual reduction of the fracture fragments. This manipulation is performed to realign the bone fragments into their proper anatomical position, which is critical for optimal healing.
  • Step 4: Confirmation of Reduction Following the manipulation, additional radiographs are taken to confirm that the fracture fragments are correctly aligned. This step ensures that the manipulation was successful and that the bones are in the proper position for healing.
  • Step 5: Application of Immobilization Device Once the fracture is confirmed to be properly aligned, a cast or brace is applied to immobilize the fracture. This immobilization is necessary to protect the fracture site and facilitate the healing process.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, the patient will typically be monitored for any signs of complications, such as neurovascular compromise or improper alignment of the fracture. The immobilization device, whether a cast or brace, will need to be kept in place for a specified duration to ensure proper healing. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing progress through additional radiographs and to make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. Patients may also receive instructions on activity restrictions and care for the immobilization device to promote optimal recovery.

Short Descr TREAT MIDFOOT FRACTURE EACH
Medium Descr TX TARSAL BONE FX XCP TALUS&CALCN W/MANJ
Long Descr Treatment of tarsal bone fracture (except talus and calcaneus); with manipulation, each
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) 0 - 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 Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6B - Minor procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 3
CCS Clinical Classification 147 - Treatment, fracture or dislocation of lower extremity (other than hip or femur)
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).
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).
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
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.
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.)
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.)
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
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)
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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