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

Correction, hallux valgus with bunionectomy, with sesamoidectomy when performed; with resection of proximal phalanx base, when performed, any method

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 28292 pertains to the surgical correction of hallux valgus, commonly known as a bunion. Hallux valgus is a deformity characterized by the lateral deviation of the great toe, which often results in the formation of a bony prominence at the base of the toe, referred to as a bunion. This condition can lead to pain, discomfort, and difficulty in wearing shoes. The surgical intervention involves a bunionectomy, which is the excision of the medial eminence of the metatarsal bone, and may also include a sesamoidectomy if necessary. The procedure may further involve the resection of the base of the proximal phalanx, depending on the specific requirements of the case. The surgical approach typically includes making an incision over the medial aspect of the metatarsophalangeal joint, followed by careful dissection of the soft tissues to expose the joint capsule. The joint capsule is then incised to allow access to the medial eminence, which is excised in alignment with the metatarsal shaft. If the sesamoid bones, which are small bones located beneath the first metatarsal head, are found to be fractured or inflamed, they may also be removed during the procedure. The final steps involve stabilizing the toe's position using K-wires and closing the soft tissues and skin in layers to promote proper healing.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 28292 is indicated for the treatment of hallux valgus, particularly in cases where the condition has led to significant pain, discomfort, or functional impairment. The following conditions may warrant this surgical intervention:

  • Hallux Valgus Deformity - A lateral deviation of the great toe that causes a bony prominence at the metatarsophalangeal joint.
  • Bunion Pain - Persistent pain and discomfort in the area of the bunion that interferes with daily activities or shoe wear.
  • Sesamoiditis - Inflammation or injury to the sesamoid bones located beneath the first metatarsal head, which may require excision.
  • Proximal Phalanx Deformity - Structural abnormalities of the proximal phalanx that may necessitate resection to correct alignment.

2. Procedure

The surgical procedure for CPT® Code 28292 involves several critical steps to effectively correct hallux valgus and address any associated conditions. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Incision - A skin incision is made over the medial aspect of the metatarsophalangeal joint to provide access to the underlying structures.
  • Step 2: Dissection - Soft tissues are carefully dissected to expose the joint capsule, ensuring minimal damage to surrounding tissues.
  • Step 3: Joint Capsule Exposure - The joint capsule is incised to allow for direct access to the medial eminence of the metatarsal bone.
  • Step 4: Excision of Medial Eminence - The medial eminence is excised in line with the metatarsal shaft to alleviate the deformity associated with hallux valgus.
  • Step 5: Resection of Proximal Phalanx Base - If indicated, the base of the proximal phalanx is resected to further correct the alignment of the toe.
  • Step 6: Sesamoidectomy (if performed) - If the sesamoid bones are fractured or inflamed, a separate incision is made over the sesamoid bone, and the bone is excised after careful dissection of the surrounding soft tissues.
  • Step 7: Stabilization - Two K-wires are placed through the distal phalanx and proximal phalanx, extending into the distal aspect of the metatarsal bone to maintain the proper position of the toe during the healing process.
  • Step 8: Closure - The redundant joint capsule is plicated and closed, followed by layered closure of the soft tissue and skin to promote optimal healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a bunionectomy with sesamoidectomy and proximal phalanx resection includes monitoring for any signs of complications, such as infection or improper healing. Patients are typically advised to keep the foot elevated to reduce swelling and to follow specific weight-bearing restrictions as directed by the surgeon. Pain management may be necessary, and patients should be instructed on how to care for the surgical site to ensure proper healing. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the recovery process and to remove any sutures if applicable. Rehabilitation exercises may be recommended to restore mobility and strength to the affected toe and foot.

Short Descr COR HLX VLGS RSC PRX PHLX BS
Medium Descr CORRJ HLX VLGS BNCTY SESMDC RESCJ PROX PHLX BASE
Long Descr Correction, hallux valgus with bunionectomy, with sesamoidectomy when performed; with resection of proximal phalanx base, when performed, any method
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 143 - Bunionectomy or repair of toe deformities
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)
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).
TA Left foot, great toe
T5 Right foot, great toe
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
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.)
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.
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.
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
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).
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.
55 Postoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the postoperative management and another performed the surgical procedure, the postoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 55 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.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
74 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
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.)
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
AI Principal physician of record
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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
ET Emergency services
F5 Right hand, thumb
FA Left hand, thumb
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
T1 Left foot, second digit
T2 Left foot, third digit
T4 Left foot, fifth digit
T6 Right foot, second digit
T7 Right foot, third digit
T8 Right foot, fourth digit
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
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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
2024-01-01 Changed Short, Medium, and Long Descriptions changed.
2017-01-01 Changed Long, Medium and Short descriptions 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"