Coding Ahead
CasePilot
Medical Coding Assistant
Case2Code
Search and Code Lookup Tool
RedactPHI
HIPAA-Compliant PHI Redaction
DetectICD10CM
ICD-10-CM Code Detection
Log in Register free account
1 code page views remaining. Guest accounts are limited to 1 page view. Register free account to get 5 more views.
Log in Register free account

Official Description

Ostectomy, calcaneus;

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 28118 refers to an ostectomy of the calcaneus, which involves the surgical excision of bone from the heel bone, known as the calcaneus. This procedure is primarily indicated for the treatment of pain associated with retrocalcaneal bursitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the bursa located at the back of the heel. Additionally, it may be performed to remove bone spurs that can develop on the calcaneus, contributing to discomfort and pain during movement. The surgical approach typically involves making an incision on the posterior aspect of the heel, allowing the surgeon to access the calcaneus directly. The procedure requires careful dissection of the surrounding soft tissues to expose the bone adequately. Once the calcaneus is accessed, the periosteum, which is the connective tissue covering the bone, is incised, and a periosteal flap is elevated to facilitate the excision of the bone. After the necessary bone removal, the periosteal flap is repositioned and sutured over the remaining calcaneus, followed by the closure of the overlying soft tissue and skin in layers. This meticulous approach aims to alleviate pain and restore function while minimizing complications associated with the surgical site.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The ostectomy of the calcaneus, as described by CPT® Code 28118, is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Retrocalcaneal Bursitis - This condition involves inflammation of the bursa located at the back of the heel, leading to pain and discomfort during activities.
  • Bone Spurs - The procedure may also be performed to remove bone spurs that develop on the calcaneus, which can cause pain and limit mobility.

2. Procedure

The procedure for an ostectomy of the calcaneus involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment and patient safety:

  • Step 1: Incision - An incision is made over the posterior aspect of the heel to provide access to the calcaneus. This location is chosen to minimize disruption to surrounding tissues and to facilitate the surgical approach.
  • Step 2: Dissection - The soft tissues surrounding the calcaneus are carefully dissected to expose the bone. This step requires precision to avoid damaging nearby structures, including nerves and blood vessels.
  • Step 3: Incising the Periosteum - Once the calcaneus is exposed, the periosteum covering the posterior aspect of the bone is incised. This allows for better access to the bone itself and is crucial for the subsequent steps of the procedure.
  • Step 4: Elevating the Periosteal Flap - A periosteal flap is elevated to protect the underlying bone and facilitate the excision process. This flap will later be sutured back into place after the bone has been resected.
  • Step 5: Resection of the Calcaneus - The calcaneus is then resected as necessary to alleviate the symptoms associated with retrocalcaneal bursitis or to remove any bone spurs. This step is critical for achieving the desired therapeutic outcome.
  • Step 6: Suturing the Periosteal Flap - After the resection, the periosteal flap is sutured back over the remaining calcaneus to promote healing and protect the bone.
  • Step 7: Closure of Soft Tissue and Skin - Finally, the overlying soft tissue and skin are closed in layers to ensure proper healing and minimize scarring.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following an ostectomy of the calcaneus typically involves monitoring for signs of infection, managing pain, and ensuring proper healing of the surgical site. Patients may be advised to limit weight-bearing activities for a specified period to allow for adequate recovery. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and to determine when physical therapy or rehabilitation may be appropriate to restore function and mobility. Additionally, patients should be educated on signs of complications, such as increased pain, swelling, or changes in skin color around the incision site, which should prompt immediate medical attention.

Short Descr REMOVAL OF HEEL BONE
Medium Descr OSTECTOMY CALCANEUS
Long Descr Ostectomy, calcaneus;
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) 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 1
CCS Clinical Classification 142 - Partial excision bone
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).
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)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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).
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).
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).
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
T1 Left foot, second digit
T4 Left foot, fifth digit
T5 Right foot, great toe
T9 Right foot, fifth digit
TA Left foot, great toe
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
2010-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
CasePilot

Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.

Ask about:
CPT Codes Guidelines Modifiers Crosswalks NCCI Edits Compliance Medicare Coverage
Example: "What is CPT code 99213?" or "Guidelines for E/M services"