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Official Description

Radical excision of bursa, synovia of wrist, or forearm tendon sheaths (eg, tenosynovitis, fungus, Tbc, or other granulomas, rheumatoid arthritis); extensors, with or without transposition of dorsal retinaculum

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 25116 refers to a surgical procedure known as the radical excision of the bursa and synovia of the wrist, as well as the tendon sheaths of the forearm, specifically targeting the extensor tendons. This procedure is indicated for various conditions, including tenosynovitis, fungal infections, tuberculosis, other granulomatous diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis. During the procedure, the physician makes an incision through the skin and subcutaneous tissue to access the affected areas, which may include the bursa, wrist synovia, and extensor tendons. The surgical approach involves careful dissection to expose the dorsal aspect of the wrist joint and the extensor tendon sheaths. The procedure may also involve the transposition of the dorsal retinaculum to ensure proper wrist stability post-excision. The excised tissue is typically sent for pathology evaluation to assess the nature of the abnormalities. This comprehensive approach aims to alleviate symptoms and restore function by removing inflamed or diseased tissue while preserving the integrity of surrounding structures.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The radical excision of bursa, synovia of the wrist, or forearm tendon sheaths is performed for several specific indications, including:

  • Tenosynovitis - Inflammation of the tendon sheath, often causing pain and swelling.
  • Fungal Infections - Presence of fungal organisms leading to infection in the bursa or tendon sheaths.
  • Tuberculosis (Tbc) - A chronic infection that can affect the synovial tissues and lead to granuloma formation.
  • Other Granulomas - Non-specific inflammatory conditions that result in the formation of granulomatous tissue.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis - An autoimmune condition that can cause synovial inflammation and damage to the tendons and bursa.

2. Procedure

The procedure involves several detailed steps to ensure effective excision and management of the affected tissues:

  • Step 1: Incision - The physician begins by making an incision through the skin and subcutaneous tissue over the affected bursa, wrist synovia, and extensor tendon sheaths. This initial incision allows access to the underlying structures that require examination and potential excision.
  • Step 2: Exposure - The dorsal aspect of the wrist joint and extensor tendon sheaths are carefully exposed. Full thickness skin flaps are developed down to the extensor retinaculum, ensuring that the superficial radial nerve, the dorsal sensory branch of the ulnar nerve, and blood vessels are protected during the dissection.
  • Step 3: Incision of the Retinaculum - The extensor retinaculum is incised longitudinally over the third dorsal compartment to facilitate access to the underlying structures. If further exposure is needed, the extensor pollicis longus may be retracted radially, and the fourth extensor compartment can be elevated subperiosteally or the septum between the third and fourth compartments can be divided.
  • Step 4: Examination and Excision - The affected bursa, wrist synovia, and extensor tendons are thoroughly examined. Any inflamed or abnormal tissue is excised to alleviate symptoms and restore function.
  • Step 5: Retinaculum Management - To maintain wrist stability, the dorsal retinaculum may be rearranged or transposed as necessary after the excision of the inflamed tissue.
  • Step 6: Closure - The surgical wound is then closed in layers, ensuring proper healing and minimizing complications. The excised abnormal tissue is sent for separately reportable pathology evaluation to determine the nature of the removed tissue.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, patients can expect a recovery period that may involve monitoring for signs of infection, managing pain, and following specific rehabilitation protocols to restore wrist function. The surgical site will require care to ensure proper healing, and patients may be advised on activity restrictions to prevent strain on the wrist during the recovery phase. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess healing and the effectiveness of the procedure.

Short Descr REMOVE WRIST/FOREARM LESION
Medium Descr RAD EXC BURSA SYNVA WRST/F/ARM TDN SHTHS XTNSRS
Long Descr Radical excision of bursa, synovia of wrist, or forearm tendon sheaths (eg, tenosynovitis, fungus, Tbc, or other granulomas, rheumatoid arthritis); extensors, with or without transposition of dorsal retinaculum
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) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies 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 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) P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 160 - Other therapeutic procedures on muscles and tendons
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)
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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
F1 Left hand, second digit
F2 Left hand, third digit
F3 Left hand, fourth digit
F4 Left hand, fifth digit
F6 Right hand, second digit
F7 Right hand, third digit
F8 Right hand, fourth digit
FA Left hand, thumb
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
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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Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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