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Official Description

Treatment of closed elbow dislocation; without anesthesia

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 24600 refers to the treatment of a closed elbow dislocation without the use of anesthesia. A closed elbow dislocation occurs when the bones of the elbow joint are displaced but the skin remains intact, meaning there is no open wound associated with the injury. This procedure is typically performed by a physician who employs specific manual techniques to realign the dislocated joint. The treatment aims to restore the normal anatomical position of the elbow, allowing for proper function and minimizing the risk of complications such as nerve or blood vessel entrapment. The procedure can be performed in different patient positions depending on the type of dislocation, with careful attention to the application of traction and countertraction to facilitate the reduction of the dislocation. Following the reduction, the physician assesses the range of motion and checks the neurovascular status to ensure that the treatment has been successful and that there are no further injuries to the surrounding structures. A splint may be applied post-procedure to stabilize the elbow and support the healing process.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 24600 is indicated for the treatment of closed elbow dislocations. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Closed Elbow Dislocation The primary indication for this procedure is a closed dislocation of the elbow joint, where the bones are out of alignment but the skin remains intact.

2. Procedure

The treatment of a closed elbow dislocation involves several key procedural steps to ensure proper realignment of the joint:

  • Step 1: Patient Positioning For a posterior elbow dislocation, the patient is typically placed in a prone position. In this position, the humerus is supported by the examination table, and the dislocated elbow is flexed to 90 degrees with the forearm hanging off the table and the fingers pointing downward. Alternatively, the patient may be positioned supine with the affected arm extended to the side and the elbow slightly flexed.
  • Step 2: Application of Traction In the prone position, the physician applies manual downward traction to the forearm with one hand while grasping the humerus with the other hand, applying downward pressure to the olecranon. In the supine position, an assistant holds the humerus in place while the physician applies in-line traction to the forearm, keeping the elbow slightly flexed and supinated.
  • Step 3: Countertraction for Anterior Dislocation If the dislocation is anterior, an assistant provides countertraction by grasping the humerus with both hands while the physician applies in-line traction to the forearm. This coordinated effort helps to realign the joint effectively.
  • Step 4: Assessment of Joint Function After the reduction is attempted, the physician tests the range of motion of the elbow to ensure that it has been successfully realigned. Additionally, neurovascular structures are reassessed to confirm that there is no entrapment of nerves or blood vessels, which is critical for preventing further complications.
  • Step 5: Application of Splint Following the successful reduction and assessment, a splint may be applied as needed to stabilize the elbow joint and support the healing process.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the treatment of a closed elbow dislocation includes monitoring the patient for any signs of complications, such as persistent pain, swelling, or changes in sensation. The physician will typically provide instructions on how to care for the splint and may schedule follow-up appointments to assess healing and range of motion. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities that could stress the elbow during the initial recovery period. Rehabilitation exercises may be recommended to restore strength and flexibility once the initial healing has occurred.

Short Descr TREAT ELBOW DISLOCATION
Medium Descr TREATMENT CLOSED ELBOW DISLOCATION W/O ANES
Long Descr Treatment of closed elbow dislocation; without anesthesia
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 Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
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) P6B - Minor procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 145 - Treatment, fracture or dislocation of radius and ulna
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.
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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).
55 Postoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the postoperative management and another performed the surgical procedure, the postoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 55 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.
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.)
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
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