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Official Description

Tenotomy, percutaneous, toe; single tendon

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 28010 refers to a percutaneous tenotomy of a single tendon in the toe. A tenotomy is a surgical procedure that involves the cutting or severing of a tendon, which is a fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone. In this specific procedure, a small stab incision is made directly over the tendon that is to be incised, which can either be a flexor tendon or an extensor tendon. The purpose of this procedure is typically to relieve tension or to correct deformities in the toe by allowing for improved range of motion. After the tendon is incised, the physician evaluates the range of motion to assess the effectiveness of the procedure. The small incision made during the procedure is then closed using sutures or Steri-Strips, ensuring minimal scarring and promoting healing. It is important to note that CPT® Code 28010 is specifically designated for the tenotomy of a single tendon; for cases involving multiple tendons, CPT® Code 28011 should be used instead.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Tenotomy, percutaneous, toe; single tendon (CPT® Code 28010) is indicated for various conditions affecting the tendons of the toe. The following are common indications for this procedure:

  • Toe Deformities Conditions such as hammertoe or mallet toe, where the toe is bent in an abnormal position, may require tenotomy to correct the alignment and improve function.
  • Contractures The procedure may be indicated for patients with tendon contractures, where the tendon is shortened, leading to restricted movement and discomfort.
  • Chronic Pain Patients experiencing chronic pain due to tendon overuse or injury may benefit from a tenotomy to relieve tension and restore mobility.

2. Procedure

The procedure for a percutaneous tenotomy of a single tendon in the toe involves several key steps, which are outlined below:

  • Step 1: Preparation The patient is positioned comfortably, and the toe area is cleaned and sterilized to minimize the risk of infection. Local anesthesia may be administered to ensure the patient remains comfortable during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Incision A small stab incision is made directly over the tendon that is to be incised. This incision is typically minimal in size, allowing for a less invasive approach to the procedure.
  • Step 3: Tendon Incision The surgeon carefully incises the tendon, severing or releasing it as necessary. This step is crucial for alleviating tension and correcting any deformities associated with the tendon.
  • Step 4: Evaluation After the tendon has been incised, the range of motion of the toe is evaluated to assess the effectiveness of the procedure. This evaluation helps determine if further intervention is needed.
  • Step 5: Closure The small stab incision is then closed using sutures or Steri-Strips, ensuring that the wound is properly secured and promoting optimal healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the percutaneous tenotomy, patients are typically advised on post-procedure care to ensure proper healing and recovery. This may include instructions on keeping the incision site clean and dry, as well as guidelines for activity restrictions to avoid undue stress on the toe. Patients may also be advised to monitor for any signs of infection or complications at the incision site. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess healing and to evaluate the range of motion and function of the toe after the procedure.

Short Descr INCISION OF TOE TENDON
Medium Descr TENOTOMY PERCUTANEOUS TOE SINGLE TENDON
Long Descr Tenotomy, percutaneous, toe; single 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) 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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 4
CCS Clinical Classification 160 - Other therapeutic procedures on muscles and tendons
T1 Left foot, second digit
T6 Right foot, second digit
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).
T2 Left foot, third digit
T7 Right foot, third digit
T3 Left foot, fourth digit
T8 Right foot, fourth digit
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.
T9 Right foot, fifth digit
T4 Left foot, fifth digit
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.)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
TA Left foot, great toe
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.
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.
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.
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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
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).
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
AG Primary physician
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
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
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
T5 Right foot, great toe
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
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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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