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Official Description

Closed treatment of interphalangeal joint dislocation, single, with manipulation; requiring anesthesia

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Closed treatment of interphalangeal joint dislocation involves the manual repositioning of a dislocated joint in the fingers, specifically the interphalangeal (IP) joints. An IP joint dislocation typically occurs due to extreme movements such as hyperextension or hyperflexion of the finger, which can result in the bones of the finger becoming misaligned. To assess the extent of the injury, separate radiographs are often obtained, which are essential for evaluating the dislocation. During the procedure, the hand is securely braced to stabilize it, and the dislocated phalanx is manipulated back into its normal anatomical position. This is achieved by either slightly hyperextending the joint for dorsal dislocations or slightly hyperflexing it for volar dislocations. After the successful reduction of the dislocation, the healthcare provider checks the flexor-extensor function and range of motion of the finger to ensure proper recovery. Finally, the finger is immobilized using a splint to maintain the correct position during the healing process. It is important to note that if multiple IP joint dislocations are treated, each dislocation is reported separately. The procedure is coded as CPT® 26775 when anesthesia is required, while CPT® 26770 is used when the procedure is performed without anesthesia.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Closed treatment of interphalangeal joint dislocation is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Interphalangeal Joint Dislocation This procedure is performed when there is a dislocation of the interphalangeal joint in the finger, which may occur due to trauma or injury resulting from hyperextension or hyperflexion.

2. Procedure

The procedure for closed treatment of interphalangeal joint dislocation involves several key steps:

  • Step 1: Radiographic Evaluation Prior to the treatment, separate radiographs are obtained to evaluate the extent of the dislocation and to confirm the diagnosis. This imaging is crucial for understanding the injury and planning the appropriate treatment.
  • Step 2: Hand Stabilization The hand is securely braced to provide stability during the manipulation of the dislocated joint. This stabilization is essential to prevent further injury and to facilitate the reduction process.
  • Step 3: Manual Reduction The dislocated phalanx is manually reduced by grasping it and applying specific movements. For a dorsal dislocation, the joint is slightly hyperextended, while for a volar dislocation, it is slightly hyperflexed. This careful manipulation allows the dislocated bone to be repositioned into its normal anatomical alignment.
  • Step 4: Function and Range of Motion Assessment After the reduction, the healthcare provider checks the flexor-extensor function and range of motion of the finger to ensure that the joint is functioning properly and that there are no additional complications.
  • Step 5: Immobilization Finally, the finger is immobilized in a splint to maintain the correct position of the joint during the healing process. This immobilization is critical to support recovery and prevent re-dislocation.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the finger for any signs of complications, ensuring that the splint remains intact, and advising the patient on how to care for the immobilized finger. Patients are typically instructed to avoid using the affected finger until cleared by their healthcare provider. Follow-up appointments may be necessary to assess healing and to determine when it is safe to begin rehabilitation exercises to restore full function and range of motion.

Short Descr TREAT FINGER DISLOCATION
Medium Descr CLTX IPHAL JT DISLC W/MANJ REQ ANES
Long Descr Closed treatment of interphalangeal joint dislocation, single, with manipulation; requiring anesthesia
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) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
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) P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 148 - Other fracture and dislocation 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).
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.
57 Decision for surgery: an evaluation and management service that resulted in the initial decision to perform the surgery may be identified by adding modifier 57 to the appropriate level of e/m service.
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
F1 Left hand, second digit
F2 Left hand, third digit
F3 Left hand, fourth digit
F4 Left hand, fifth digit
F5 Right hand, thumb
F6 Right hand, second digit
F7 Right hand, third digit
F8 Right hand, fourth digit
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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
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
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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