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Tenolysis of the triceps is a surgical procedure aimed at restoring motion in the elbow joint by addressing the complications that arise from scar tissue formation. This condition often occurs due to trauma or injury to the triceps tendon, which can lead to restricted movement and discomfort. The procedure involves making an incision over the distal part of the triceps muscle, allowing the surgeon to access the affected area. During the operation, careful dissection of the surrounding soft tissues is performed to identify and protect the ulnar nerve, which runs close to the triceps tendon. Additionally, the radial nerve is also located and safeguarded during the procedure. The primary goal of tenolysis is to release adhesions that have formed between the triceps tendon and the humerus, the bone of the upper arm. This release is crucial for restoring normal range of motion in the elbow. The dissection may extend into the posterior aspect of the elbow joint to address any adhesions present in that area as well. After the necessary adhesions are lysed, the surgeon evaluates the range of motion to ensure that the procedure has been effective. Finally, the surgical wound is meticulously closed in layers, and a dressing is applied to promote healing.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure of tenolysis of the triceps is indicated for patients experiencing restricted elbow motion due to the formation of scar tissue. This condition may arise from various factors, including:
The tenolysis of the triceps involves several critical procedural steps to ensure effective release of the adhesions and restoration of elbow motion. The steps are as follows:
Post-procedure care for tenolysis of the triceps typically involves monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection and ensuring proper healing. Patients may be advised on rehabilitation exercises to gradually restore strength and flexibility in the elbow joint. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess recovery progress and to make any necessary adjustments to the rehabilitation plan.
| Short Descr | TENOLYSIS TRICEPS | Medium Descr | TENOLYSIS TRICEPS | Long Descr | Tenolysis, triceps | 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) | 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 | 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 | 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). | 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 | ET | Emergency services | 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 | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2002-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2002. |
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