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The procedure described by CPT® Code 29889 involves an arthroscopically aided repair, augmentation, or reconstruction of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The PCL is one of the key ligaments located in the center of the knee joint, situated behind the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Both ligaments play a crucial role in providing stability and controlling the rotational movement of the knee. Injuries to the PCL can lead to significant instability, causing the knee to buckle during activities. The procedure is performed using an arthroscope, a specialized instrument that allows the physician to visualize the internal structures of the knee joint through small incisions, known as portals. This minimally invasive approach reduces recovery time and minimizes damage to surrounding tissues compared to open surgical techniques. The process involves the removal of the damaged PCL and may utilize graft material, such as a portion of the Achilles tendon, to reconstruct the ligament. The use of arthroscopic techniques allows for precise manipulation and repair of the ligament, ensuring optimal outcomes for patients suffering from PCL injuries.
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The procedure described by CPT® Code 29889 is indicated for patients with a torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The following conditions may warrant this surgical intervention:
The procedure for CPT® Code 29889 involves several key steps to ensure the effective repair or reconstruction of the PCL:
After the completion of the procedure, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications. Post-operative care may include pain management, physical therapy, and rehabilitation to restore knee function. Patients are advised to follow specific guidelines regarding weight-bearing activities and range of motion exercises to promote healing. The recovery period may vary depending on the extent of the injury and the surgical technique used, but patients can generally expect a gradual return to normal activities over several months.
| Short Descr | KNEE ARTHROSCOPY/SURGERY | Medium Descr | ARTHRS AIDED PST CRUCIATE LIGM RPR/AGMNTJ/RCNSTJ | Long Descr | Arthroscopically aided posterior cruciate ligament repair/augmentation or reconstruction | 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) | P8A - Endoscopy - arthroscopy | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 149 - Arthroscopy |
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. | 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). | 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. | 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 | 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) | 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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| 2018-01-01 | Note | AMA Guideline removed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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