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Official Description

Osteoplasty, radius OR ulna; shortening

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 25390 refers to osteoplasty of the radius or ulna, specifically focusing on shortening the bone. Osteoplasty is a surgical intervention aimed at reshaping or reconstructing bone structures. In this case, the procedure is performed on either the radius or ulna, which are the two long bones in the forearm. The goal of shortening the bone may be to correct deformities, alleviate pain, or improve function. Prior to the surgical intervention, the physician utilizes radiographic studies to precisely determine the locations where the bone will be cut, ensuring that the desired outcome is achieved. During the surgery, the bone is exposed, and the identified sites for the cuts are carefully executed. A segment of the bone is excised, and the remaining ends of the bone are brought together. To stabilize the newly configured bone, internal fixation methods are employed, which may include the use of plates, screws, or other devices. Alternatively, an external fixation device may be utilized to maintain the position of the bone during the healing process. This procedure is critical for patients who require adjustments to their forearm bones to restore proper alignment and function.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 25390 is indicated for various conditions that necessitate the shortening of the radius or ulna. These indications may include:

  • Bone Deformities Conditions where the radius or ulna has developed abnormal shapes or lengths that affect function.
  • Fractures Non-union or malunion fractures of the radius or ulna that require correction to restore proper alignment.
  • Congenital Anomalies Birth defects affecting the length or shape of the forearm bones that may impair movement or function.
  • Arthritis Severe cases of arthritis that lead to bone deformities or excessive bone growth, necessitating surgical intervention.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 25390 involves several critical steps to ensure successful shortening of the radius or ulna. The following procedural steps are undertaken:

  • Step 1: Preoperative Planning Prior to the surgical procedure, the physician conducts radiographic studies to identify the precise locations for the bone cuts. This planning is essential to achieve the desired shortening of the bone while maintaining structural integrity.
  • Step 2: Exposure of the Bone The surgical site is prepared, and an incision is made to expose the radius or ulna. Care is taken to minimize damage to surrounding tissues and structures during this exposure.
  • Step 3: Identification of Cut Sites Once the bone is exposed, the predetermined sites for the bone cuts are marked. This step is crucial for ensuring that the correct amount of bone is excised to achieve the desired shortening.
  • Step 4: Bone Cutting and Excision The surgeon proceeds to cut the bone at the identified sites. A segment of the bone is excised, which reduces the length of the radius or ulna as planned.
  • Step 5: Reconfiguration of Bone After excising the bone segment, the remaining distal and proximal portions of the bone are brought into contact with each other. This reconfiguration is vital for restoring the bone's anatomical alignment.
  • Step 6: Stabilization To ensure stability of the reconfigured bone, internal fixation devices such as plates and screws are applied. Alternatively, an external fixation device may be utilized to maintain the position of the bone during the healing process.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the osteoplasty procedure, patients typically require a period of recovery during which the bone heals and stabilizes. Post-operative care may include pain management, monitoring for signs of infection, and ensuring proper alignment of the bone. Patients may be advised to limit movement of the affected arm to facilitate healing. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and to determine when physical therapy or rehabilitation can begin to restore function and strength to the forearm. The duration of recovery may vary based on individual circumstances and the extent of the procedure performed.

Short Descr SHORTEN RADIUS OR ULNA
Medium Descr OSTEOPLASTY RADIUS/ULNA SHORTENING
Long Descr Osteoplasty, radius OR ulna; shortening
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) P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 161 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on bone
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.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
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).
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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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