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Official Description

Resection, partial or complete, phalangeal base, each toe

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A partial or complete resection of the phalangeal base of the toe involves surgical intervention aimed at addressing various conditions affecting the toe joint. This procedure is performed when there is a need to remove part or all of the base of the proximal phalanx, which is the bone located in the toe that connects to the metatarsal bone of the foot. The surgery typically begins with an incision made over the affected toe joint, which extends from the midshaft of the proximal phalanx to the midshaft of the metatarsal. This incision allows access to the joint capsule, which is then incised to facilitate the resection process. The base of the proximal phalanx is carefully underscored and resected using an oscillating saw, a tool that provides precision in cutting bone. Once the resection is complete, the resected base is grasped and peeled out of the joint capsule, ensuring that the procedure is thorough. It is important to report CPT® Code 28126 for each toe that undergoes this surgical procedure, reflecting the specific nature of the intervention performed.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of partial or complete resection of the phalangeal base is indicated for various conditions affecting the toe joint. These may include:

  • Osteoarthritis - A degenerative joint disease that can cause pain and stiffness in the toe joint, leading to the need for surgical intervention.
  • Trauma - Injuries to the toe that result in fractures or severe damage to the joint may necessitate resection to restore function.
  • Bone tumors - The presence of benign or malignant tumors at the phalangeal base may require resection to remove the affected bone.
  • Congenital deformities - Abnormalities present at birth that affect the structure of the toe may be corrected through this surgical procedure.

2. Procedure

The procedure involves several critical steps to ensure effective resection of the phalangeal base. Each step is essential for achieving the desired surgical outcome:

  • Step 1: Incision - The surgeon begins by making an incision over the affected toe joint. This incision is strategically placed to extend from the midshaft of the proximal phalanx to the midshaft of the metatarsal, providing adequate access to the joint area.
  • Step 2: Joint Capsule Incision - Following the initial incision, the joint capsule is carefully incised. This step is crucial as it allows the surgeon to access the underlying structures of the toe joint, facilitating the subsequent resection.
  • Step 3: Resection of the Phalangeal Base - The base of the proximal phalanx is then underscored, and the resection is performed using an oscillating saw. This tool is specifically designed for precision cutting, ensuring that the bone is resected accurately without damaging surrounding tissues.
  • Step 4: Removal of the Resection - Once the resection is complete, the resected base of the proximal phalanx is grasped and peeled out of the joint capsule. This step is vital for ensuring that all affected bone is removed, which is necessary for the success of the procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, post-operative care is essential for recovery. Patients may be advised to keep the affected toe elevated to reduce swelling and promote healing. Pain management strategies, including prescribed medications, may be implemented to ensure patient comfort. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled to monitor the healing process and assess the need for any additional interventions. Patients should also be instructed on proper wound care to prevent infection and ensure optimal recovery.

Short Descr PARTIAL REMOVAL OF TOE
Medium Descr RESECTION PARTIAL/COMPLETE PHALANGEAL BASE EACH
Long Descr Resection, partial or complete, phalangeal base, each toe
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 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) P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other
MUE 4
CCS Clinical Classification 142 - Partial excision bone
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
T2 Left foot, third digit
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.
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).
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.
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).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
F6 Right hand, second digit
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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Q8 Two class b findings
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
T1 Left foot, second 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
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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