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Official Description

Open treatment of talotarsal joint dislocation, includes internal fixation, when performed

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 28585 refers to the open treatment of a dislocation at the talotarsal joint, which is a critical joint in the foot where the talus bone meets the navicular tarsal bone. This type of dislocation can occur due to trauma or injury, leading to significant pain and functional impairment. The open treatment involves making a surgical incision over the affected joint to directly access and repair the dislocation. During the procedure, the surgeon will reduce the dislocated joint, meaning they will manipulate the bones back into their proper alignment. To ensure stability and proper healing, internal fixation devices such as pins or screws may be utilized. After the joint has been successfully reduced and stabilized, the surgical site is thoroughly irrigated to prevent infection, and the incision is then closed with sutures. This procedure is essential for restoring normal function and alleviating pain associated with the dislocation.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The open treatment of talotarsal joint dislocation, as described by CPT® Code 28585, is indicated for specific conditions and symptoms that necessitate surgical intervention. These include:

  • Dislocated Talotarsal Joint A dislocation of the talotarsal joint, which may result from trauma or injury, leading to misalignment of the bones and significant pain.
  • Severe Pain Patients experiencing severe pain that is not manageable through conservative treatment options may require this surgical procedure to alleviate discomfort.
  • Loss of Function Individuals who have lost the ability to perform normal activities due to the dislocation may be candidates for this procedure to restore function.

2. Procedure

The open treatment of a talotarsal joint dislocation involves several critical procedural steps, which are outlined as follows:

  • Step 1: Surgical Incision The procedure begins with the surgeon making a precise incision over the dislocated talotarsal joint. This incision allows direct access to the joint for effective treatment.
  • Step 2: Joint Reduction Once the incision is made, the surgeon carefully manipulates the dislocated joint back into its proper anatomical position, a process known as reduction. This step is crucial for restoring normal alignment and function.
  • Step 3: Internal Fixation After the joint has been successfully reduced, the surgeon may apply internal fixation devices, such as pins or screws, to stabilize the joint and maintain its position during the healing process. The use of these devices is determined by the specific needs of the dislocation.
  • Step 4: Wound Irrigation Following the fixation, the surgical site is thoroughly irrigated to remove any debris and reduce the risk of infection. This step is essential for promoting a clean healing environment.
  • Step 5: Closure of Incision Finally, the incision is closed using sutures, ensuring that the surgical site is properly sealed to facilitate healing.

3. Post-Procedure

After the open treatment of a talotarsal joint dislocation, patients can expect specific post-procedure care and considerations. It is essential to monitor the surgical site for signs of infection and to manage pain effectively. Patients may be advised to keep the affected foot elevated and to limit weight-bearing activities during the initial recovery phase. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess healing and to determine when physical therapy or rehabilitation can begin to restore strength and mobility to the joint. Adhering to post-operative instructions is crucial for optimal recovery and to prevent complications.

Short Descr REPAIR FOOT DISLOCATION
Medium Descr OPEN TREATMENT TALOTARSAL JOINT DISLOCATION
Long Descr Open treatment of talotarsal joint dislocation, includes internal fixation, when performed
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 Device-intensive procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later; paid at adjusted rate.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 147 - Treatment, fracture or dislocation of lower extremity (other than hip or femur)
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).
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.
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).
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
F6 Right hand, second digit
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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
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
Date
Action
Notes
2008-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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