Coding Ahead
CasePilot
Medical Coding Assistant
CaseConsultant
Instant Email Coding Consultant
Case2Code
Search and Code Lookup Tool
CareerCenter
Medical Coding Job Board
Log in Register free account

Need help choosing the right code?

Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.

Try CasePilot

Official Description

Amputation, foot; midtarsal (eg, Chopart type procedure)

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 28800 refers to a surgical procedure known as midtarsal amputation, commonly recognized as a Chopart type procedure. This type of partial foot amputation is specifically performed at the midtarsal level, which involves the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints. Midfoot amputations, including this procedure, are typically indicated for patients suffering from conditions such as severe infection, ischemia (insufficient blood supply), or trauma that compromises the integrity of the foot. The Chopart procedure is characterized by the removal of the foot at a level that preserves the ankle joint, allowing for potential prosthetic fitting and improved functional outcomes. The surgical approach involves careful planning of flap configuration, incision, and dissection to ensure that the surrounding tissues are managed appropriately, ultimately leading to a well-structured closure and recovery process. This procedure is critical in managing complex foot conditions while aiming to maintain as much of the foot's functionality as possible.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The midtarsal amputation procedure, coded as CPT® 28800, is indicated for various medical conditions that necessitate the removal of part of the foot. The following are the explicitly provided indications for this procedure:

  • Infection Severe infections that compromise the viability of the foot tissues may require amputation to prevent the spread of infection and to preserve the patient's overall health.
  • Ischemia Conditions leading to insufficient blood supply to the foot can result in tissue necrosis, making amputation necessary to remove non-viable tissue and improve the patient's quality of life.
  • Trauma Significant traumatic injuries to the foot that cannot be repaired or that result in irreparable damage may necessitate a midtarsal amputation to restore function and alleviate pain.

2. Procedure

The midtarsal amputation procedure involves several critical steps to ensure a successful outcome. The following procedural steps are outlined:

  • Step 1: Flap Configuration The surgeon begins by determining the appropriate flap configuration based on the patient's anatomy and the extent of the amputation required. Incision lines are carefully drawn to facilitate optimal healing.
  • Step 2: Incision A skin incision is made along the predetermined lines, allowing access to the deeper tissues of the foot.
  • Step 3: Dissection of Deeper Tissues The dissection continues through the deeper layers, creating a multilayer soft tissue flap that includes plantar skin, subcutaneous tissue, and investing fascia. This flap is essential for proper closure and healing.
  • Step 4: Joint Dissection The dissection is carried out to the level of the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints. The fibrous tissue surrounding these joints is carefully dissected, and the joint capsule is incised to expose the joint structures.
  • Step 5: Vascular and Nerve Management Blood vessels are identified, suture ligated, and divided to control bleeding. Nerves are also severed and allowed to retract into the surrounding soft tissue to prevent neuroma formation.
  • Step 6: Tendon Division The ankle dorsiflexor tendons are divided to facilitate the amputation. The remaining proximal segments of these tendons are then attached to either the anterior tibial tendon with sutures or to the talus through a drill hole in the talar head, using sutures or staples as needed.
  • Step 7: Additional Tendon Transfers If necessary, additional tendon transfers are performed to restore balance between the dorsiflexors and plantar flexors, ensuring functional stability of the foot.
  • Step 8: Closure The soft tissue flap is closed in layers to promote optimal healing. A cast is applied with the hindfoot in slight dorsiflexion to maintain the desired position during recovery.
  • Step 9: External Fixation (if needed) Alternatively, an external fixation device may be utilized to maintain the foot in the correct position until the tendons have healed adequately.

3. Post-Procedure

After the midtarsal amputation procedure, patients can expect a recovery period that involves careful monitoring and management of the surgical site. Post-procedure care typically includes pain management, wound care, and regular follow-up appointments to assess healing. The application of a cast or external fixation device is crucial to ensure that the foot remains in the appropriate position during the healing process. Patients may also require physical therapy to regain strength and mobility in the remaining foot structures. The overall recovery timeline can vary based on individual patient factors, but adherence to post-operative instructions is essential for optimal outcomes.

Short Descr AMPUTATION OF MIDFOOT
Medium Descr AMPUTATION FOOT MIDTARSAL
Long Descr Amputation, foot; midtarsal (eg, Chopart type procedure)
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 Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 157 - Amputation of lower extremity
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.
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.
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.)
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).
AG Primary physician
AI Principal physician of record
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
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)
T1 Left foot, second digit
T4 Left foot, fifth digit
T6 Right foot, second digit
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
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
CasePilot

Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.

Ask about:
CPT Codes Guidelines Modifiers Crosswalks NCCI Edits Compliance Medicare Coverage
Example: "What is CPT code 99213?" or "Guidelines for E/M services"