© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 25525 refers to the open treatment of a radial shaft fracture, which includes internal fixation when necessary, as well as the closed treatment of a distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) dislocation, commonly known as a Galeazzi fracture/dislocation. This procedure is characterized by a fracture located at the junction of the middle and distal thirds of the radial shaft, accompanied by a dislocation or subluxation of the DRUJ. The open reduction technique involves making an incision over the fracture site to access the radial shaft directly. The fractured bone pieces are then realigned using specialized tools such as fracture reduction forceps and manual traction, ensuring that the anatomical alignment of the radial shaft is restored. Verification of this alignment is typically performed through X-ray imaging. In cases where internal fixation is required, a compression plate and screws are utilized to stabilize the fracture. The procedure also addresses the DRUJ dislocation, which is assessed for its stability post-reduction of the radial shaft fracture. If the dislocation does not spontaneously reduce, a closed reduction technique is employed. Should the reduction prove unstable, percutaneous skeletal fixation may be necessary, involving the placement of K-wires from the ulna into the radius just proximal to the articular surface. After the procedure, the surgical wound is closed, and a long arm splint is applied to support the arm during the healing process. It is important to note that if the DRUJ dislocation cannot be reduced through closed means, an alternative procedure under CPT® Code 25526 must be considered, which involves open reduction of the DRUJ through a dorsal incision, along with potential stabilization using internal fixation devices.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 25525 is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure involves several critical steps to ensure proper treatment of the radial shaft fracture and the associated DRUJ dislocation:
After the procedure, patients are typically monitored for any complications and to ensure proper healing. The application of a long arm splint is essential to immobilize the arm and provide support to the surgical site. Patients may be advised on post-operative care, including pain management and activity restrictions to promote optimal recovery. Follow-up appointments are necessary to assess the healing of the fracture and the stability of the DRUJ. If the dislocation was not successfully reduced through closed means, further surgical intervention may be required, as indicated by CPT® Code 25526, which involves open reduction of the DRUJ.
| Short Descr | OPTX RDL SHFT FX&CLTX RAD/UL | Medium Descr | OPTX RDL SHAFT FX&CLTX DSTL RAD/ULN JT DISLC | Long Descr | Open treatment of radial shaft fracture, includes internal fixation, when performed, and closed treatment of distal radioulnar joint dislocation (Galeazzi fracture/ dislocation), includes percutaneous skeletal fixation, when performed | 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) | 2 - Co-surgeons permitted and no documentation required if the two- specialty requirement is met. | 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 | 145 - Treatment, fracture or dislocation of radius and ulna |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 20702 | Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery device(s), intramedullary (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 20703 | Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Removal of drug-delivery device(s), intramedullary (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 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. | 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 | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | 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 | T1 | Left foot, second digit |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2008-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2002-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2001-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1993-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1993. |
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