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Official Description

Open treatment of Monteggia type of fracture dislocation at elbow (fracture proximal end of ulna with dislocation of radial head), includes internal fixation, when performed

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

An open treatment of a Monteggia type fracture dislocation at the elbow involves a surgical procedure aimed at correcting a specific type of injury characterized by a fracture at the proximal end of the ulna accompanied by a dislocation of the radial head. This injury typically occurs due to trauma and requires precise surgical intervention to restore the normal anatomy of the elbow joint. The procedure begins with an incision made to access the fractured ulna, allowing the surgeon to visualize and address the fracture directly. The first step in the treatment is the reduction of the ulnar fracture, which involves aligning the fractured bone ends to promote proper healing. Once the fracture is adequately reduced, internal fixation may be applied to stabilize the fracture. This is often achieved using devices such as dynamic compression plates or limited contact-dynamic compression plates, which are secured with screws placed just above and below the fracture site. Following the successful reduction of the ulnar fracture, the dislocated radial head is typically expected to reduce indirectly. However, if it does not, an additional incision may be necessary to perform an open reduction of the radial head, which may also involve repairing the annular ligament to ensure joint stability. After both the ulnar fracture and radial head are properly aligned and stabilized, the surgical wounds are closed, and a splint is applied to support the elbow during the initial healing phase.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The open treatment of a Monteggia type fracture dislocation at the elbow is indicated for patients presenting with specific conditions related to this type of injury. These indications include:

  • Fracture of the Proximal Ulna - This procedure is performed when there is a fracture at the proximal end of the ulna, which is a critical component of the elbow joint.
  • Dislocation of the Radial Head - The procedure is indicated when there is a dislocation of the radial head, which often accompanies the ulnar fracture in a Monteggia injury.
  • Inability to Achieve Closed Reduction - If closed reduction techniques fail to adequately realign the fracture and dislocation, surgical intervention becomes necessary.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the open treatment of a Monteggia type fracture dislocation at the elbow involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Incision and Exposure - The surgeon begins by making an incision over the elbow to gain access to the fractured ulna. This incision allows for direct visualization of the fracture site, which is essential for effective treatment.
  • Step 2: Reduction of the Ulnar Fracture - Once the fracture is exposed, the surgeon reduces the fracture by aligning the bone ends. This step is crucial for restoring the normal anatomy of the ulna and ensuring proper healing.
  • Step 3: Internal Fixation - After achieving satisfactory reduction of the ulnar fracture, internal fixation is applied as needed. This may involve the use of dynamic compression plates or limited contact-dynamic compression plates, which are secured with screws placed proximal and distal to the fracture site to stabilize the bone.
  • Step 4: Reduction of the Radial Head - Following the stabilization of the ulnar fracture, the dislocated radial head is typically expected to reduce indirectly. If it does not, the surgeon will make an additional incision over the joint to perform an open reduction of the radial head.
  • Step 5: Repair of the Annular Ligament - If necessary, the annular ligament may be repaired during the open reduction of the radial head to ensure joint stability and proper function.
  • Step 6: Closure and Splinting - Once both the ulnar fracture and radial head are satisfactorily reduced and stabilized, the surgical wounds are closed, and a splint is applied to support the elbow during the recovery process.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the open treatment of a Monteggia type fracture dislocation at the elbow involves monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection and ensuring proper healing of the fracture. Patients are typically advised to keep the affected arm elevated and immobilized in a splint to minimize swelling and promote recovery. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and to determine when physical therapy can begin to restore range of motion and strength in the elbow. The duration of recovery may vary depending on the severity of the injury and the individual patient's healing response.

Short Descr TREAT ELBOW FRACTURE
Medium Descr OPEN TX MONTEGGIA FRACTURE DISLOCATION ELBOW
Long Descr Open treatment of Monteggia type of fracture dislocation at elbow (fracture proximal end of ulna with dislocation of radial head), includes internal fixation, when performed
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 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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 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).
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
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
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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2008-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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