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Official Description

Closed treatment of carpal bone fracture (excluding carpal scaphoid [navicular]); without manipulation, each bone

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 25630 refers to the closed treatment of a fracture involving one of the carpal bones, specifically excluding the carpal scaphoid (navicular) bone. This procedure is characterized by the absence of manipulation, meaning that the fractured bone is treated without the need to manually reposition the fracture fragments. The carpal bones consist of eight individual bones that are organized into two rows at the wrist joint, known as the carpus. The proximal row includes the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform bones, while the distal row comprises the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate bones. In cases where multiple carpal bones are fractured, each fracture is reported separately to ensure accurate coding and billing. Prior to treatment, radiographs (X-rays) are obtained to confirm the presence of the fracture. A thorough neurovascular examination is also performed to assess the integrity of the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the injury site. The procedure described by CPT® Code 25630 specifically addresses nondisplaced or minimally displaced fractures of the carpal bones, excluding the scaphoid, where no manipulation is necessary. Following the evaluation, the wrist is immobilized using a short arm splint or cast to facilitate proper healing and prevent further injury.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The closed treatment of carpal bone fractures, as described by CPT® Code 25630, is indicated for specific conditions related to the carpal bones, excluding the scaphoid. The following are the primary indications for this procedure:

  • Fracture of Carpal Bones A fracture involving one of the carpal bones, excluding the scaphoid, is present.
  • Nondisplaced or Minimally Displaced Fracture The fracture is either nondisplaced or minimally displaced, allowing for treatment without manipulation.
  • Assessment of Neurovascular Integrity A need for evaluation of the neurovascular status at the injury site to ensure that nerves and blood vessels are intact.
  • Confirmation via Radiographs Radiographic imaging is required to confirm the diagnosis of the fracture prior to treatment.

2. Procedure

The procedure for closed treatment of a carpal bone fracture without manipulation involves several key steps, as outlined below:

  • Step 1: Initial Assessment The healthcare provider conducts a thorough assessment of the patient's wrist, including a detailed history and physical examination. This includes evaluating the mechanism of injury and assessing for any signs of neurovascular compromise.
  • Step 2: Radiographic Imaging Radiographs are obtained to confirm the presence of a fracture in one of the carpal bones, excluding the scaphoid. These images help determine the type and extent of the fracture.
  • Step 3: Neurovascular Examination A neurovascular examination is performed to ensure that the nerves and blood vessels in the area of the fracture are intact and functioning properly. This step is crucial to prevent complications.
  • Step 4: Application of Immobilization Once the fracture is confirmed and assessed, the wrist is immobilized using a short arm splint or cast. This immobilization is essential to promote healing and prevent further displacement of the fracture fragments.
  • Step 5: Follow-Up Care The patient is advised on follow-up care, including monitoring for any signs of complications, such as increased pain, swelling, or changes in sensation, which may indicate issues with healing or neurovascular integrity.

3. Post-Procedure

After the closed treatment of a carpal bone fracture without manipulation, the patient is typically advised to keep the wrist immobilized for a specified period to allow for proper healing. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor the healing process through additional radiographs and clinical evaluations. Patients are instructed to report any concerning symptoms, such as increased pain, swelling, or changes in sensation, which may indicate complications. Rehabilitation exercises may be recommended once the fracture has healed sufficiently to restore range of motion and strength in the wrist.

Short Descr CLTX CARPL FX W/O MNPJ EA B1
Medium Descr CLTX CARPAL BONE FX W/O MNPJ EACH BONE
Long Descr Closed treatment of carpal bone fracture (excluding carpal scaphoid [navicular]); without manipulation, each bone
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 Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6B - Minor procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 148 - Other fracture and dislocation procedure
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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.
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).
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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 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.)
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
F5 Right hand, thumb
F9 Right hand, fifth digit
FA Left hand, thumb
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
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
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
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
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2025-01-01 Changed Short and Medium Descriptions changed.
2009-01-01 Changed Code description changed
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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