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A surgical arthroscopy of the knee, specifically coded as CPT® 29883, involves a minimally invasive procedure where the knee joint is examined and treated through small incisions. This procedure is performed when there are tears in the meniscus, which is the cartilage that cushions the knee joint. The meniscus has two main regions: the outer vascular region, which has a good blood supply and can heal effectively, and the inner avascular region, which has limited blood supply and may not heal as well. During the arthroscopy, portal incisions are made on both the medial (inner) and lateral (outer) sides of the knee to allow access to the joint. An arthroscope, a small camera, is inserted through one of these portals to visualize the interior of the knee. A cannula is then introduced through a second portal to facilitate the flushing of the joint with saline solution, which helps to clear debris and provides a clearer view of the joint structures. The surgeon examines the knee for any signs of disease, injury, or infection, and locates the meniscus tear. The extent of the tear is assessed using a small hook. The edges of the tear are prepared to promote healing, and various techniques may be employed to enhance blood supply to the area. The meniscus is then repaired using sutures or other fixation devices. If both the medial and lateral menisci are torn, both are addressed during the same procedure, ensuring comprehensive treatment of the knee joint. After the repairs are completed, the instruments are removed, and the incisions are closed with a compressive dressing applied to support recovery.
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The procedure coded as CPT® 29883 is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure involves several key steps to ensure effective treatment of the meniscus tear:
After the completion of the arthroscopy and meniscus repair, patients can expect a recovery period that may involve rest, ice application, and elevation of the knee to reduce swelling. Physical therapy may be recommended to restore strength and range of motion. The surgeon will provide specific post-operative care instructions, including activity restrictions and follow-up appointments to monitor healing. It is important for patients to adhere to these guidelines to ensure optimal recovery and minimize the risk of complications.
| Short Descr | KNEE ARTHROSCOPY/SURGERY | Medium Descr | ARTHROSCOPY KNEE W/MENISCUS RPR MEDIAL&LATERAL | Long Descr | Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscus repair (medial AND lateral) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 090 - Major Surgery | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 3 - Special payment adjustment rules for multiple endoscopic procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - 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. | Endoscopic Base Code | 29870 Arthroscopy, knee, diagnostic, with or without synovial biopsy (separate 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) | P8A - Endoscopy - arthroscopy | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 151 - Excision of semilunar cartilage of knee |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| G0289 | Add-on Code Medicare Coverage: Carrier Priced MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Arthroscopy, knee, surgical, for removal of loose body, foreign body, debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty) at the time of other surgical knee arthroscopy in a different compartment of the same knee |
| 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). | 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. | 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 | 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) | 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 | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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