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Official Description

Repair of nonunion or malunion, humerus; without graft (eg, compression technique)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 24430 pertains to the surgical repair of a nonunion or malunion of the humerus, which is the long bone of the upper arm. A nonunion occurs when the fracture fragments fail to heal together within a typical timeframe of 8 to 10 months, while a malunion refers to a situation where the fragments heal in an incorrect position, leading to potential complications. These complications can include osseous abnormalities, incongruity of articular surfaces, soft tissue contracture, and nerve impingement, which may result in pain and functional impairment. The surgical approach involves exposing the original fracture site of the humerus to assess the condition of the nonunion or malunion. The repair is performed without the use of a graft, utilizing internal fixation techniques such as a compression plate to stabilize the fracture. This method is crucial for restoring proper alignment and stability to the bone, thereby facilitating the healing process and improving the patient's overall function.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure coded as CPT® 24430 is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Nonunion of the Humerus - This condition is characterized by the failure of the fracture fragments to unite after a period of 8 to 10 months, necessitating surgical intervention to promote healing.
  • Malunion of the Humerus - This occurs when the fracture heals in an improper alignment, leading to functional impairment and potential complications that require correction through surgical means.

2. Procedure

The surgical procedure for CPT® 24430 involves several critical steps to ensure effective repair of the nonunion or malunion of the humerus:

  • Step 1: Exposure of the Fracture Site - The surgical team begins by making an incision to expose the original fracture site of the humerus. This allows for direct visualization and assessment of the nonunion or malunion, which is essential for determining the appropriate repair technique.
  • Step 2: Evaluation of the Condition - Once the fracture site is exposed, the surgeon evaluates the nonunion or malunion to decide on the necessary corrective measures. This evaluation is crucial for planning the subsequent steps of the procedure.
  • Step 3: Application of Internal Fixation - For a nonunion, a compression plate is placed over the fracture site and secured with lag screws to stabilize the bone fragments. In cases of malunion, the surgeon may need to refracture the bone to realign it properly before applying the internal fixation device.
  • Step 4: Verification of Stability and Alignment - After the fixation device is placed, the surgeon checks the stability of the fracture and verifies the alignment radiographically. This step is critical to ensure that the bone is properly positioned for optimal healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the repair of a nonunion or malunion of the humerus typically involves monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection and ensuring that the fixation device remains stable. Patients may be advised on rehabilitation exercises to restore mobility and strength in the affected arm. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and to make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. The expected recovery time can vary based on the individual patient's condition and adherence to post-operative care instructions.

Short Descr REPAIR OF HUMERUS
Medium Descr REPAIR NON/MALUNION HUMERUS W/O GRAFT
Long Descr Repair of nonunion or malunion, humerus; without graft (eg, compression technique)
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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Device-intensive procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later; paid at adjusted rate.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 148 - Other fracture and dislocation procedure

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

20702 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery device(s), intramedullary (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
20703 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Removal of drug-delivery device(s), intramedullary (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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).
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.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
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).
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
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
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)
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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