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Official Description

Ostectomy, complete excision; fifth metatarsal head

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 28113 refers to the complete excision of the fifth metatarsal head, which is a surgical intervention aimed at addressing bony overgrowth in this area. The fifth metatarsal is located on the outer side of the foot and is crucial for weight-bearing and balance. When there is excessive bone growth, it can lead to pain, discomfort, and functional limitations. The surgical approach involves making a longitudinal or lazy-S incision on the dorsal aspect of the affected metatarsal head, allowing the surgeon to access the underlying structures. Careful dissection of the soft tissues is performed to protect the superficial blood vessels, ensuring that blood supply to the area is maintained. The procedure also involves identifying and detaching the long extensor tendons, which may need to be transferred to facilitate proper healing and function post-surgery. The joint capsule is incised to create a capsular flap, providing access to the metatarsal head, which is then completely excised while preserving the phalangeal base. To stabilize the joint after excision, a Kirschner wire is inserted through the proximal phalanx into the metatarsal medullary canal. Finally, any excess joint capsule is either excised or plicated, and the overlying soft tissues are meticulously closed in layers to promote optimal healing. This procedure is specifically indicated for the fifth metatarsal head, distinguishing it from similar procedures for the first, second, third, or fourth metatarsal heads, which are coded differently (CPT® Codes 28111 and 28112).

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure indicated by CPT® Code 28113 is performed for specific conditions related to the fifth metatarsal head. The following are the explicitly provided indications for this surgical intervention:

  • Bony Overgrowth - The primary indication for this procedure is the presence of bony overgrowth at the fifth metatarsal head, which can lead to pain and functional impairment.
  • Joint Pain - Patients experiencing chronic pain in the fifth metatarsal area due to osteophyte formation or other bony abnormalities may require this excision to alleviate discomfort.
  • Limited Mobility - Individuals with restricted movement in the foot due to the overgrowth may benefit from this procedure to restore normal function.

2. Procedure

The surgical procedure for CPT® Code 28113 involves several detailed steps to ensure the complete excision of the fifth metatarsal head:

  • Step 1: Incision - A longitudinal or lazy-S incision is made over the dorsal aspect of the affected fifth metatarsal head. This incision allows for adequate exposure of the underlying structures while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues.
  • Step 2: Dissection - The soft tissues are carefully dissected to expose the metatarsal head. During this step, special attention is given to protect the superficial blood vessels to maintain blood supply to the area.
  • Step 3: Tendon Management - The long extensor tendons are identified, detached, and transferred as necessary to facilitate access to the joint and ensure proper alignment post-excision.
  • Step 4: Joint Capsule Incision - The joint capsule is incised, and a capsular flap is created to provide further access to the metatarsal head for excision.
  • Step 5: Excision of Metatarsal Head - The metatarsal head is completely excised while ensuring that the phalangeal base remains intact, which is crucial for maintaining joint stability.
  • Step 6: Stabilization - A Kirschner wire is advanced through the proximal phalanx and into the metatarsal medullary canal to stabilize the joint after the excision.
  • Step 7: Joint Capsule Management - Any redundancy in the joint capsule is either excised or plicated to ensure proper closure and healing.
  • Step 8: Closure - The overlying soft tissues are closed in layers, ensuring that the surgical site is properly sealed to promote healing and reduce the risk of complications.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the procedure coded by CPT® 28113, patients can expect specific post-operative care and recovery considerations. It is essential to monitor the surgical site for signs of infection and ensure that the incision heals properly. Patients may be advised to limit weight-bearing activities on the affected foot for a specified period to allow for adequate healing. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess the healing process and to remove any sutures if applicable. Rehabilitation exercises may be introduced gradually to restore mobility and strength in the foot. The use of a protective boot or splint may also be recommended during the initial recovery phase to provide support and stability to the foot.

Short Descr PART REMOVAL OF METATARSAL
Medium Descr OSTECTOMY COMPLETE 5TH METATARSAL HEAD
Long Descr Ostectomy, complete excision; fifth metatarsal head
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) 0 - 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 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 1
CCS Clinical Classification 142 - Partial excision bone
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)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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.
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.)
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)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
F9 Right hand, fifth digit
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
T1 Left foot, second digit
T2 Left foot, third digit
T3 Left foot, fourth digit
T4 Left foot, fifth digit
T5 Right foot, great toe
T6 Right foot, second digit
T7 Right foot, third digit
T8 Right foot, fourth digit
T9 Right foot, fifth digit
TA Left foot, great toe
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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