© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 25651 refers to the procedure known as percutaneous skeletal fixation of an ulnar styloid fracture. This procedure is specifically indicated for cases where there is a displaced fracture of the ulnar styloid, which is a bony prominence located at the distal end of the ulna, one of the two long bones in the forearm. In this context, a fracture of the ulnar styloid can occur due to trauma or injury, leading to misalignment of the bone fragments. The treatment approach for such fractures can vary, with options including closed treatment, percutaneous skeletal fixation, or open treatment, depending on the nature and severity of the fracture. During the procedure, a thorough neurovascular examination is conducted to ensure that the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the injury are intact, which is crucial for preventing complications. For the percutaneous skeletal fixation, the displaced fracture fragments are manually manipulated back into their proper anatomical alignment. This is followed by the insertion of a Kirschner wire (K-wire), which is a thin metal pin used to stabilize the fracture. The procedure is confirmed through radiographic imaging to ensure that the bone fragments are correctly aligned before immobilization of the arm with a splint or cast. This method is essential for promoting proper healing and restoring function to the wrist and hand following the injury.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 25651 is indicated for the treatment of a displaced fracture of the ulnar styloid. This type of fracture may occur due to trauma or injury, resulting in misalignment of the bone fragments. The following conditions warrant the use of this procedure:
The procedure for CPT® Code 25651 involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment of the displaced ulnar styloid fracture. The first step is to perform a thorough neurovascular examination to assess the integrity of the nerves and blood vessels in the area of the injury. This examination is essential to rule out any potential complications that could arise from the fracture.
After the completion of the percutaneous skeletal fixation procedure, the patient will typically be monitored for any immediate complications. The immobilization with a splint or cast is crucial for ensuring that the fracture remains stable during the healing process. Patients may be advised on post-procedure care, including instructions on how to manage pain, signs of complications to watch for, and guidelines for follow-up appointments to assess healing. The expected recovery time may vary depending on the severity of the fracture and the individual patient's healing response, but adherence to post-procedure care is essential for optimal recovery.
| Short Descr | PERQ SKEL FIX ULNAR STYLD FX | Medium Descr | PERQ SKELETAL FIXATION ULNAR STYLOID FRACTURE | Long Descr | Percutaneous skeletal fixation of ulnar styloid fracture | 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) | 0 - 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 | Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; 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 |
| 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.) | 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 | 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) | 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 |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2002-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2002. |
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