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Official Description

Closed treatment of radial head or neck fracture; without manipulation

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Closed treatment of a radial head or neck fracture refers to a non-surgical approach to managing fractures located at the radial head or neck, which are parts of the radius bone in the forearm. This procedure is specifically indicated for nondisplaced fractures, meaning that the bone fragments have not shifted from their original position. During the treatment, the physician will first obtain radiographs, or X-rays, to confirm the presence of the fracture and assess its characteristics. A thorough neurovascular examination is conducted to ensure that the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the injury are functioning properly and remain intact. In this procedure, no manipulation of the fracture fragments is performed, which distinguishes it from other treatment options that may involve realigning displaced fragments. Following the evaluation, the arm is immobilized using a long arm splint or cast to promote healing and prevent further injury. This method is effective for managing specific types of fractures while minimizing the need for invasive surgical intervention.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The closed treatment of a radial head or neck fracture without manipulation is indicated for specific conditions related to the injury. The following are the explicitly provided indications for this procedure:

  • Nondisplaced Radial Head Fracture - This procedure is performed when there is a fracture of the radial head that has not resulted in any displacement of the bone fragments.
  • Nondisplaced Radial Neck Fracture - Similar to the radial head fracture, this treatment is applicable when the fracture occurs at the neck of the radius and remains nondisplaced.

2. Procedure

The closed treatment of a radial head or neck fracture without manipulation involves several key procedural steps that ensure proper management of the injury. The following steps outline the process:

  • Step 1: Radiographic Evaluation - The procedure begins with obtaining radiographs, or X-rays, to confirm the presence of the fracture. This imaging is crucial for assessing the fracture's characteristics and determining the appropriate treatment plan.
  • Step 2: Neurovascular Examination - Following the radiographic evaluation, a comprehensive neurovascular exam is performed. This examination assesses the integrity of the nerves and blood vessels in the area surrounding the fracture, ensuring that there is no compromise to these critical structures.
  • Step 3: Application of Immobilization - Once the fracture is confirmed and the neurovascular status is deemed satisfactory, the arm is immobilized. This is typically achieved through the application of a long arm splint or cast, which serves to stabilize the fracture and facilitate the healing process without the need for surgical intervention.

3. Post-Procedure

After the closed treatment of a radial head or neck fracture without manipulation, post-procedure care is essential for optimal recovery. The patient is advised to keep the arm immobilized in the splint or cast for the duration recommended by the physician, which may vary based on the specific nature of the fracture and individual healing rates. Regular follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor the healing process, and additional radiographs may be obtained to ensure that the fracture is healing correctly. Patients should also be educated on signs of complications, such as increased pain, swelling, or changes in sensation, which may require prompt medical attention.

Short Descr TREAT RADIUS FRACTURE
Medium Descr CLOSED TX RADIAL HEAD/NECK FX W/O MANIPULATION
Long Descr Closed treatment of radial head or neck fracture; without manipulation
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 Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; 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
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)
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.
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).
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 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).
AG Primary physician
AM Physician, team member service
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
ET Emergency services
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
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
PN Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
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
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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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