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Official Description

Hemiphalangectomy or interphalangeal joint excision, toe, proximal end of phalanx, each

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A hemiphalangectomy or interphalangeal joint excision of the toe involves the surgical removal of the proximal end of the phalanx, which is one of the bones in the toe. This procedure is indicated for various conditions affecting the toe, such as severe arthritis, trauma, or tumors that compromise the integrity of the joint or bone. The surgery begins with an incision made over the affected area, allowing access to the phalanx and the interphalangeal joint. The surgeon carefully incises the joint capsule if the proximal end of the phalanx is to be excised. The procedure requires precision, as the affected phalanx is underscored at the site of transection, and an oscillating saw is utilized to excise the proximal end of the phalanx. Following the excision, the resected bone is removed from the joint capsule, and if the entire joint is excised, the surrounding tendons and ligaments are addressed to ensure proper healing and function. An intramedullary K-wire may be inserted to maintain alignment of the bones during the recovery process. This code, 28160, should be reported for each toe on which the procedure is performed, reflecting the surgical intervention's specificity and scope.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The hemiphalangectomy or interphalangeal joint excision is performed for specific indications that may include:

  • Severe Arthritis - This condition can lead to significant pain and dysfunction in the toe, necessitating surgical intervention to alleviate symptoms.
  • Trauma - Injuries to the toe that result in fractures or dislocations may require the removal of the damaged bone or joint to restore function.
  • Bone Tumors - The presence of tumors in the phalanx may necessitate excision to prevent further complications and to ensure the health of surrounding tissues.

2. Procedure

The procedure for hemiphalangectomy or interphalangeal joint excision involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Incision - The surgeon begins by making an incision over the affected phalanx and interphalangeal joint to gain access to the underlying structures.
  • Step 2: Joint Capsule Incision - If the proximal end of the phalanx is to be excised, the joint capsule is carefully incised to expose the bone and joint.
  • Step 3: Bone Underscoring - The affected phalanx is underscored at the site where the bone will be transected, preparing it for excision.
  • Step 4: Bone Excision - An oscillating saw is utilized to excise the proximal end of the phalanx, ensuring a clean cut for optimal healing.
  • Step 5: Removal of Resection - The resected portion of the phalanx is grasped and carefully peeled out of the joint capsule to complete the excision.
  • Step 6: Tendon and Ligament Management - If the entire joint is excised, the surgeon releases the flexor and extensor tendons as needed and severs the ligaments connecting the phalangeal bones at the joint.
  • Step 7: Joint Capsule Excision - The joint capsule is completely excised along with all articular cartilage to ensure thorough removal of the affected area.
  • Step 8: K-wire Insertion - An intramedullary K-wire may be inserted through the phalanges and into the metatarsal bone to maintain proper alignment of these bones during the healing process.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a hemiphalangectomy or interphalangeal joint excision includes monitoring for signs of infection, managing pain, and ensuring proper alignment of the toe. Patients may be advised to keep the foot elevated and to limit weight-bearing activities during the initial recovery phase. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess healing and to determine when physical therapy may be appropriate to restore function and mobility. The K-wire, if used, may require removal at a later date, depending on the surgeon's assessment of healing progress.

Short Descr PARTIAL REMOVAL OF TOE
Medium Descr HEMIPHALANGECTOMY/INTERPHALANGEAL JOINT EXC TOE
Long Descr Hemiphalangectomy or interphalangeal joint excision, toe, proximal end of phalanx, each
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) P6B - Minor procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 5
CCS Clinical Classification 142 - Partial excision bone
T5 Right foot, great toe
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).
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.
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.
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
F1 Left hand, second digit
F4 Left hand, fifth digit
F6 Right hand, second digit
FA Left hand, thumb
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)
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
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
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
T2 Left foot, third digit
T3 Left foot, fourth digit
T4 Left foot, fifth digit
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
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
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