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Official Description

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

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 28615 refers to the open treatment of a dislocation at the tarsometatarsal joint, which is a critical joint in the foot where the tarsal bones meet the metatarsal bones. The tarsometatarsal joint consists of the cuboid and three cuneiform bones that connect to the five metatarsal bones, playing a vital role in foot stability and movement. In this surgical procedure, an incision is made directly over the dislocated joint to allow for direct access. The dislocated joint is then carefully reduced, meaning that the bones are repositioned back into their normal alignment. To ensure stability and proper healing, internal fixation devices such as pins or screws may be utilized. This fixation is crucial for maintaining the correct position of the bones during the healing process. After the internal fixation is applied, the surgical site is thoroughly irrigated to prevent infection, and the incision is subsequently closed with sutures, completing the procedure. This treatment is essential for restoring function and alleviating pain associated with tarsometatarsal joint dislocations.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The open treatment of tarsometatarsal joint dislocation, as described by CPT® Code 28615, is indicated for specific conditions and symptoms that necessitate surgical intervention. These indications include:

  • Dislocation of the Tarsometatarsal Joint - This procedure is performed when there is a dislocation at the tarsometatarsal joint, which may result from trauma or injury.
  • Severe Pain - Patients experiencing significant pain due to the dislocation that does not respond to conservative treatment may require this surgical approach.
  • Loss of Function - When the dislocation leads to a loss of normal foot function, making it difficult for the patient to walk or bear weight, surgical intervention is warranted.
  • Instability of the Joint - If the joint is unstable and cannot maintain proper alignment, surgical fixation is necessary to restore stability.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the open treatment of tarsometatarsal joint dislocation involves several critical steps to ensure proper alignment and stabilization of the joint. The steps are as follows:

  • Step 1: Incision - A surgical incision is made over the dislocated tarsometatarsal joint. This incision provides direct access to the joint, allowing the surgeon to visualize and manipulate the bones involved in the dislocation.
  • Step 2: Reduction - The dislocated joint is carefully reduced, meaning that the bones are repositioned back into their normal anatomical alignment. This step is crucial for restoring the joint's function and alleviating pain.
  • Step 3: Internal Fixation - After the joint is reduced, internal fixation devices, such as pins or screws, are applied as needed to maintain the correct position of the bones during the healing process. This fixation is essential for ensuring stability and preventing further dislocation.
  • Step 4: Wound Irrigation - The surgical site is thoroughly irrigated to remove any debris and reduce the risk of infection. This step is vital for promoting a clean healing environment.
  • Step 5: Closure - Finally, the incision is closed with sutures, completing the surgical procedure. Proper closure is important for minimizing scarring and promoting healing.

3. Post-Procedure

After the open treatment of tarsometatarsal joint dislocation, patients can expect specific post-procedure care and considerations. It is essential to monitor the surgical site for any signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge. Patients may be advised to keep the foot elevated to reduce swelling and to follow specific weight-bearing restrictions as determined by the surgeon. Pain management may be necessary, and patients should adhere to prescribed medications. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to assess healing and to determine when physical therapy or rehabilitation can begin to restore function and strength to the foot. Overall, adherence to post-procedure instructions is crucial for optimal recovery and to prevent complications.

Short Descr REPAIR FOOT DISLOCATION
Medium Descr OPEN TREATMENT TARSOMETATARSAL JOINT DISLOCATION
Long Descr Open treatment of tarsometatarsal 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) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
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 5
CCS Clinical Classification 147 - Treatment, fracture or dislocation of lower extremity (other than hip or femur)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right 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).
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.
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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.
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.
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).
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).
99 Multiple modifiers: under certain circumstances 2 or more modifiers may be necessary to completely delineate a service. in such situations modifier 99 should be added to the basic procedure, and other applicable modifiers may be listed as part of the description of the service.
AG Primary physician
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)
FA Left hand, thumb
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
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
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
TA Left foot, great toe
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
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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