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Official Description

Repair, flexor tendon, leg; primary, without graft, each tendon

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 27658 involves the primary repair of a flexor tendon in the leg without the use of a graft. Flexor tendons are critical structures that allow for the movement of the toes and ankle, and they can be damaged due to various injuries such as lacerations, puncture wounds, or closed injuries like avulsions. The flexor muscles and tendons in the lower leg include several key components, such as the peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, plantaris, popliteus, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, and tibialis posterior. When a tendon is completely transected, the surgical procedure involves making an incision over the injury site to access the tendon. The surgeon locates the severed ends of the tendon, which may require manipulation to bring them together for repair. The repair is accomplished through suturing the tendon back together. In cases where the tendon is only partially transected, the procedure focuses on repairing the transected fibers. Additionally, if there is damage to the muscle tissue itself, the muscle is repaired in layers to restore function. This procedure is essential for restoring mobility and function in the affected leg, and it is reported using the code 27658. If the primary repair does not yield satisfactory functional results, a secondary repair may be necessary, which is reported with CPT® Code 27659.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The primary repair of a flexor tendon in the leg, as described by CPT® Code 27658, is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Lacerations - These are cuts that can completely or partially sever the flexor tendons, necessitating surgical intervention to restore function.
  • Puncture Wounds - Similar to lacerations, puncture wounds can damage the tendons and require repair to ensure proper healing and function.
  • Avulsion Injuries - Closed injuries where the tendon is pulled away from its attachment point, which may require surgical repair to reattach the tendon.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the primary repair of a flexor tendon involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Incision - The surgeon begins by making an incision over the site of the flexor tendon or muscle injury to gain access to the damaged area.
  • Step 2: Identification of the Tendon - If the tendon has been completely transected, the surgeon locates the severed ends of the tendon. This may involve careful dissection to ensure that the tendon is adequately exposed.
  • Step 3: Tendon Repair - Once the severed ends are identified, the surgeon pulls the tendon ends together, aligning them properly. The tendon is then sutured back together using appropriate suturing techniques to ensure a secure repair.
  • Step 4: Partial Transection Repair - In cases of partial transection, the surgeon focuses on repairing the transected fibers, ensuring that the tendon is restored to its functional state.
  • Step 5: Muscle Repair (if applicable) - If the muscle itself has been lacerated or torn, the surgeon repairs the muscle tissue in layers to restore its integrity and function.
  • Step 6: Closure - After the tendon and muscle repairs are completed, the surgical wound is closed in layers to promote optimal healing.
  • Step 7: Immobilization - Finally, the leg and ankle are immobilized using a splint or cast to protect the repair and facilitate recovery.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the primary repair of a flexor tendon includes monitoring for signs of infection, ensuring proper wound healing, and managing pain. Patients are typically advised to keep the leg immobilized for a specified period to allow the tendon to heal properly. Rehabilitation may involve physical therapy to restore range of motion and strength in the ankle and toes once the initial healing phase is complete. The surgeon will provide specific instructions regarding activity restrictions and follow-up appointments to assess the healing process and determine if further intervention is necessary.

Short Descr REPAIR OF LEG TENDON EACH
Medium Descr REPAIR FLEXOR TENDON LEG PRIMARY W/O GRAFT EACH
Long Descr Repair, flexor tendon, leg; primary, without graft, each tendon
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) 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required...
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 2
CCS Clinical Classification 160 - Other therapeutic procedures on muscles and tendons
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).
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)
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an 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).
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AG Primary physician
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
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
ET Emergency services
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
T1 Left foot, second digit
T2 Left foot, third digit
T6 Right foot, second digit
T7 Right foot, third digit
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
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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