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The procedure described by CPT® Code 25265 involves the repair of flexor tendons or muscles located in the forearm and/or wrist, specifically through a secondary approach that utilizes a free graft. Flexor tendons and muscles are essential for the movement of the wrist, hand, and fingers, as they are responsible for flexion. These structures originate from the medial epicondyle of the humerus and the proximal radius and ulna, and include key muscles such as the flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, and flexor pollicis longus. Injuries to these tendons and muscles can occur due to various reasons, including lacerations, puncture wounds, and closed injuries like avulsions, which may lead to partial or complete transection of the tendons. In cases where primary repair is insufficient to restore function, a secondary repair may be necessary. This procedure involves the use of a free graft, which is a piece of tissue taken from another part of the body, to facilitate the repair of the damaged tendon or muscle. The surgical process includes making an incision over the injury site, locating the severed tendon, and performing the necessary repairs, whether that involves suturing the tendon or muscle or attaching a graft. The goal of this procedure is to restore the integrity and function of the flexor tendons and muscles, allowing for improved range of motion and strength in the affected areas.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 25265 is indicated for the repair of flexor tendons or muscles in the forearm and/or wrist that have sustained significant injury. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:
The procedure for CPT® Code 25265 involves several critical steps to ensure effective repair of the flexor tendon or muscle:
Post-procedure care following the repair of flexor tendons or muscles using CPT® Code 25265 is crucial for optimal recovery. Patients are typically advised to keep the wrist and hand immobilized in a splint or cast for a specified period to allow the repaired structures to heal properly. Follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor the healing process and assess the range of motion. Physical therapy may be recommended to help restore strength and flexibility once the initial healing phase is complete. Patients should also be educated on signs of complications, such as increased pain, swelling, or signs of infection, and instructed to report these to their healthcare provider promptly.
| Short Descr | REPAIR FOREARM TENDON/MUSCLE | Medium Descr | RPR TDN/MUSC FLXR F/ARM&/WRISTSEC FR GRF EA | Long Descr | Repair, tendon or muscle, flexor, forearm and/or wrist; secondary, with free graft (includes obtaining graft), each tendon or muscle | 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) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | 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) | 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 | 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) | P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal | MUE | 4 | CCS Clinical Classification | 160 - Other therapeutic procedures on muscles and tendons |
| 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. | 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). | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | F1 | Left hand, second digit | F2 | Left hand, third digit | F3 | Left hand, fourth digit | F4 | Left hand, fifth digit | F5 | Right hand, thumb | F6 | Right hand, second digit | FA | Left hand, thumb | 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 |
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| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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