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Official Description

Closed treatment of radial and ulnar shaft fractures; with manipulation

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Closed treatment of radial and ulnar shaft fractures with manipulation involves a medical procedure where fractures in the shafts of both the radial and ulnar bones are treated without making an incision. This procedure is specifically indicated for minimally displaced fractures, where the bone fragments have shifted but can be realigned manually. The treatment begins with obtaining radiographs, which are X-ray images that help confirm the presence and alignment of the fractures. A thorough neurovascular examination is conducted to assess the integrity of the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the injury site, ensuring that there are no complications that could affect healing or function. If the fractures are determined to be minimally displaced, the physician will manually manipulate the fracture fragments back into their proper anatomical positions. Following this manipulation, additional radiographs are taken to verify that the bones are correctly aligned. Finally, to stabilize the arm and promote healing, a long arm splint or cast is applied, immobilizing the area to prevent further movement and facilitate recovery.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The closed treatment of radial and ulnar shaft fractures with manipulation is indicated for specific conditions where the fractures are minimally displaced. The following indications are explicitly provided:

  • Minimally Displaced Fractures These fractures involve slight shifts in the bone alignment that can be corrected through manual manipulation.
  • Presence of Fractures The procedure is performed when there is a confirmed diagnosis of fractures in the radial and ulnar shafts, as evidenced by radiographic imaging.
  • Intact Neurovascular Status A neurovascular examination must indicate that the nerves and blood vessels at the injury site are intact, ensuring that there are no complications that could affect healing.

2. Procedure

The procedure for closed treatment of radial and ulnar shaft fractures with manipulation involves several critical steps, each essential for ensuring proper treatment and recovery:

  • Step 1: Radiographic Evaluation Initially, the physician obtains separately reportable radiographs to confirm the presence of fractures in the radial and ulnar shafts. This imaging is crucial for assessing the extent and nature of the fractures.
  • Step 2: Neurovascular Examination Following the radiographic evaluation, a thorough neurovascular exam is performed. This examination assesses the function of the nerves and blood vessels in the area of the injury, ensuring that they are intact and that there are no complications that could impede healing.
  • Step 3: Manual Manipulation If the fractures are determined to be minimally displaced, the physician proceeds to manually manipulate the fracture fragments. This step involves carefully realigning the bone fragments to restore proper anatomical positioning.
  • Step 4: Confirmation of Anatomic Reduction After manipulation, additional radiographs are obtained to confirm that the fracture fragments are correctly aligned. This step is vital to ensure that the treatment has been successful and that the bones are in the proper position for healing.
  • Step 5: Application of Immobilization Device Finally, a long arm splint or cast is applied to immobilize the arm. This immobilization is essential for preventing movement at the fracture site, allowing for optimal healing and recovery.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the closed treatment of radial and ulnar shaft fractures with manipulation includes monitoring the patient for any signs of complications, such as changes in neurovascular status or excessive swelling. The immobilization device, whether a splint or cast, must remain in place for the duration recommended by the physician to ensure proper healing. Patients are typically advised on how to care for the immobilization device, including keeping it dry and clean. Follow-up appointments are necessary to assess healing through additional radiographs and to determine when it is safe to begin rehabilitation exercises to restore function and strength to the affected arm.

Short Descr CLTX RDL&ULN SHFT FX W/MNPJ
Medium Descr CLOSED TX RADIAL&ULNAR SHAFT FRACTURES W/MNPJ
Long Descr Closed treatment of radial and ulnar shaft fractures; with manipulation
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) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies 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 1
CCS Clinical Classification 145 - Treatment, fracture or dislocation of radius and ulna
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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).
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
55 Postoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the postoperative management and another performed the surgical procedure, the postoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 55 to the usual procedure number.
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.)
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
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
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
Date
Action
Notes
2025-01-01 Changed Short and Medium Descriptions changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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