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Official Description

Extracorporeal shock wave, high energy, performed by a physician or other qualified health care professional, requiring anesthesia other than local, including ultrasound guidance, involving the plantar fascia

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment method that utilizes high-energy shock waves to promote healing in specific areas of the body. In this procedure, the focus is on the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. The therapy is particularly beneficial for conditions such as plantar fasciitis, where inflammation and pain occur in the heel and bottom of the foot. The procedure is performed by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional and requires anesthesia that is more extensive than local anesthesia, such as regional or general anesthesia. This ensures that the patient is comfortable and pain-free during the treatment. Ultrasound guidance is employed to accurately target the area of maximal tenderness in the heel, enhancing the precision of the shock wave application. The combination of high-energy shock waves and proper anesthesia aims to alleviate pain and promote tissue regeneration in the affected area.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is indicated for the treatment of conditions affecting the plantar fascia, particularly when conservative treatments have failed to provide relief. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:

  • Plantar Fasciitis - A common cause of heel pain characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia.
  • Heel Pain - Generalized pain in the heel area that may be due to various underlying conditions.
  • Chronic Tendinopathy - Degenerative conditions affecting the tendons in the foot that do not respond to standard treatments.

2. Procedure

The procedure for high-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy involves several key steps to ensure effective treatment of the plantar fascia.

  • Step 1: Examination and Identification - The foot is thoroughly examined to assess the condition and identify the point of maximal tenderness in the heel. This step is crucial for targeting the area that requires treatment.
  • Step 2: Marking the Site - Once the point of maximal tenderness is identified, the planned site for the extracorporeal shock wave therapy is marked on the skin. This ensures precision during the application of the shock waves.
  • Step 3: Anesthesia Administration - The heel is prepared for the procedure, and anesthesia is administered. Depending on the patient's needs, either a heel block (regional anesthesia) or general anesthesia is used to ensure the patient remains comfortable and pain-free throughout the treatment.
  • Step 4: Application of Shock Waves - Following anesthesia, high-energy shock waves are administered to the previously identified area of the heel. The application is performed according to the manufacturer's instructions for the ESW device, ensuring that the treatment is both effective and safe.

3. Post-Procedure

After the extracorporeal shock wave therapy is completed, patients may experience some discomfort in the treated area, which is typically manageable. It is important for patients to follow any post-procedure care instructions provided by the healthcare professional. This may include recommendations for rest, ice application, and gradual return to normal activities. Patients should be monitored for any adverse reactions, and follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and make any necessary adjustments to the care plan.

Short Descr HI ENRGY ESWT PLANTAR FASCIA
Medium Descr ESWT HI NRG PHYS/QHP W/US GDN INVG PLNTAR FASCIA
Long Descr Extracorporeal shock wave, high energy, performed by a physician or other qualified health care professional, requiring anesthesia other than local, including ultrasound guidance, involving the plantar fascia
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) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies 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 Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 160 - Other therapeutic procedures on muscles and tendons
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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.
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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).
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.)
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
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
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
2017-01-01 Changed Guideline Changed.
2013-01-01 Changed Description Changed
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2006-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2006.
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