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Official Description

Repair, extensor tendon, leg; secondary, with or without graft, each tendon

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 27665 pertains to the repair of extensor tendons in the leg, specifically focusing on secondary repairs, which may be necessary when primary repairs do not yield satisfactory functional results. Extensor tendons are crucial for the movement of the toes and ankle, and they include the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum, peroneus tertius, and extensor hallucis longus. Injuries to these tendons can occur due to various reasons, including lacerations, puncture wounds, or closed injuries such as avulsions, which can lead to partial or complete transection of the tendons. During the procedure, an incision is made at the site of the tendon injury to access the damaged tendon. If the tendon is completely severed, the surgeon locates the ends of the tendon, pulls them together, and repairs them with sutures. In cases of partial transection, the surgeon repairs the damaged fibers directly. If the muscle associated with the tendon is also injured, it is repaired in layers to restore its function. In instances where the primary repair does not achieve the desired functional outcome, a secondary repair is performed. This may involve the use of a graft, where a tendon graft is harvested and attached to the remaining tendon tissue, ensuring proper alignment and tension to facilitate optimal movement in the ankle and toes. The surgical site is then closed in layers, and the leg and ankle are immobilized with a splint or cast to promote healing and recovery.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Lacerations - These are cuts that can cause damage to the extensor tendons, potentially leading to partial or complete transection.
  • Puncture Wounds - Similar to lacerations, puncture wounds can also result in injury to the extensor tendons.
  • Closed Injuries - This includes injuries such as avulsions, where the tendon is torn away from its attachment point without an external cut.
  • Failure of Primary Repair - If a primary suture repair of an extensor tendon does not achieve a functional result, a secondary repair may be necessary.

2. Procedure

The procedure involves several key steps to ensure proper repair of the extensor tendon:

  • Step 1: Incision - An incision is made over the site of the extensor tendon or muscle injury to provide 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, which may require careful dissection to expose the tendon adequately.
  • Step 3: Tendon Repair - The severed ends of the tendon are grasped and pulled together, followed by suture repair. In cases of partial transection, the surgeon repairs the transected fibers directly.
  • Step 4: Muscle Repair - If the muscle itself has been lacerated or torn, the muscle tissue is repaired in layers to restore its integrity and function.
  • Step 5: Grafting (if necessary) - If a secondary repair is required, a tendon graft may be harvested and attached to the remnants of the severed tendon, ensuring proper alignment and tension.
  • Step 6: Range of Motion Testing - After the repair, the range of motion is tested, and tension is adjusted as needed to ensure optimal movement in the ankle and toes.
  • Step 7: Wound Closure - The surgical wound is closed in layers to promote healing and minimize scarring.
  • Step 8: Immobilization - Finally, the leg and ankle are immobilized using a splint or cast to support the healing process.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection and ensuring that the immobilization device remains intact. Patients are typically advised on how to manage pain and swelling, and follow-up appointments are scheduled to assess healing and functional recovery. Rehabilitation may be necessary to restore strength and range of motion, and patients should be educated on the importance of adhering to the prescribed recovery plan to achieve optimal outcomes.

Short Descr REPAIR OF LEG TENDON EACH
Medium Descr RPR EXTENSOR TENDON LEG SECONDRY W/WO GRAFT EACH
Long Descr Repair, extensor tendon, leg; secondary, with or 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 Device-intensive procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later; paid at adjusted rate.
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
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.
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).
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).
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)
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)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
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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2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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