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The procedure described by CPT® Code 25332 refers to an arthroplasty of the wrist, which is a surgical intervention aimed at restoring the function of the wrist joint. This procedure may involve the removal of diseased or damaged bone, as well as the repair of the interface between the small bones of the wrist joint and the forearm bones. The surgery can be performed with or without the use of interposition materials, which are substances placed between the bones to facilitate healing and improve joint function. Additionally, the procedure may include external or internal fixation methods to stabilize the wrist during the recovery process. The physician typically makes an incision over the wrist to access the joint, and various techniques may be employed to remobilize bones that have become locked in place. Ultimately, the goal of this surgery is to restore prior function to the wrist joint, allowing for improved mobility and reduced pain. Post-surgery, the wrist may be immobilized using pins placed internally or through external means such as a cast or sling to ensure proper healing and alignment of the joint.
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The indications for performing an arthroplasty of the wrist, as described by CPT® Code 25332, typically include the following conditions:
The procedure for arthroplasty of the wrist involves several key steps, which are detailed as follows:
After the arthroplasty procedure, the patient will typically be monitored in a recovery area. Post-operative care may include pain management, instructions for immobilization of the wrist, and guidelines for rehabilitation exercises. The wrist may be immobilized using pins placed internally or through external means such as a cast or sling to ensure proper healing. Patients are usually advised to follow up with their healthcare provider to monitor the healing process and to begin physical therapy as recommended to restore mobility and strength in the wrist.
| Short Descr | REVISE WRIST JOINT | Medium Descr | ARTHRP WRST W/WO INTERPOS W/WO XTRNL/INT FIXJ | Long Descr | Arthroplasty, wrist, with or without interposition, with or without external or internal fixation | 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) | 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 | 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 | 154 - Arthroplasty other than hip or knee |
| 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. | 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). | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | F5 | Right 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 |
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| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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