© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 24164 involves the surgical removal of a prosthesis specifically from the radial head of the elbow joint. This procedure is indicated when there is a need to remove an implanted device, which may be due to complications such as infection, mechanical failure, or other clinical reasons necessitating the removal of the implant. The operation begins with a skin incision made over the elbow joint, either on the medial or lateral side of the olecranon process, allowing access to the underlying structures. The surgical approach may vary, with a lateral or posterolateral technique being employed to effectively expose the radial head implant. During the procedure, careful dissection is performed to identify and protect the ulnar nerve and neurovascular structures, ensuring minimal trauma to surrounding tissues. The radial head implant is meticulously freed from the surrounding bone and any bone cement is also removed to prepare the site for potential further intervention, such as the placement of a new prosthesis or a drain in cases of infection. This comprehensive approach ensures that all necessary components of the procedure are addressed, facilitating optimal outcomes for the patient.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 24164 is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure begins with the surgeon making a skin incision over the elbow joint, which can be positioned either medially or laterally to the olecranon process. This incision allows access to the underlying structures of the elbow. If a lateral approach is chosen, the incision is made between the carpi radialis brevis and the extensor digitorum muscles. The surgeon then carefully dissects through the soft tissues to expose the annular ligament, which is freed from surrounding structures to facilitate access to the radial head implant. Throughout the dissection, neurovascular structures are identified and protected to prevent any injury during the procedure. Once the radial head implant is adequately exposed, the surgeon meticulously works to free the implant from the surrounding bone, ensuring that any bone cement used during the initial implantation is also removed. This step is crucial for preparing the site for any potential subsequent procedures. After the implant is removed, the surgeon may choose to place a new prosthesis in a separately reportable procedure, or if there is an infection present, a drain may be placed, and the surgical wound is closed around the drain to allow for proper drainage and healing.
Post-procedure care following the removal of the radial head implant includes monitoring for any signs of infection or complications at the surgical site. If a drain has been placed, it is essential to manage the drain properly to ensure adequate drainage and prevent fluid accumulation. Patients may be advised on pain management strategies and rehabilitation exercises to restore function to the elbow joint. Follow-up appointments are necessary to assess the healing process and determine if further interventions, such as the placement of a new prosthesis, are required. The overall recovery time may vary depending on the individual patient's condition and the extent of the procedure performed.
| Short Descr | REMOVAL PROSTH RADIAL HEAD | Medium Descr | PROSTHESIS REMOVAL RADIAL HEAD | Long Descr | Removal of prosthesis, includes debridement and synovectomy when performed; radial head | 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) | 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 | T-Packaged Codes | 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 | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 145 - Treatment, fracture or dislocation of radius and ulna |
| 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). | 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.) | 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 |
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| 2023-01-01 | Note | Short description changed. |
| 2014-01-01 | Changed | Description Changed |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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