© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 25676 refers to the open treatment of a distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) dislocation, which can occur in both acute and chronic cases. A DRUJ dislocation is a specific type of injury where the distal end of the radius and ulna bones in the forearm become misaligned at the wrist joint. This dislocation can happen without any accompanying fractures, making it a relatively uncommon injury. The dislocation may present in two forms: dorsal dislocation, which typically results from hyperpronation of the forearm, and volar dislocation, which is often caused by hypersupination. In the context of treatment, various methods are available, including percutaneous skeletal fixation and closed treatment with manipulation, but open treatment is indicated when these methods are unsuccessful or when there are recurrent dislocations. The open treatment approach involves a surgical procedure where the joint is accessed directly through an incision, allowing for a thorough examination and repair of the joint structures. This procedure is critical for restoring proper alignment and function to the wrist, especially when soft tissue has become interposed between the dislocated bones. The complexity of the procedure necessitates careful surgical technique to ensure optimal outcomes for the patient.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The open treatment of distal radioulnar dislocation (CPT® Code 25676) is indicated in the following scenarios:
The procedure for open treatment of a distal radioulnar joint dislocation involves several critical steps:
Post-procedure care following the open treatment of a distal radioulnar joint dislocation includes monitoring for any signs of complications, such as infection or improper healing. The wrist will remain immobilized in a cast for a specified duration to ensure stability and promote recovery. Patients may be advised on rehabilitation exercises to restore range of motion and strength once the cast is removed. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and determine when it is safe to resume normal activities.
| Short Descr | OPTX RAD/ULN DISLC AQT/CHRNC | Medium Descr | OPEN TX DISTAL RADIOULNAR DISLC ACUTE/CHRONIC | Long Descr | Open treatment of distal radioulnar dislocation, acute or chronic | 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) | 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) | P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other | 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.) | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure 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 | ET | Emergency services | 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) | 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 Description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.