© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The subtalar joint is a critical component of the ankle, located between the talus and the calcaneus bones. This joint is classified as a compound joint, which means it consists of multiple articulating surfaces and is divided into two distinct compartments. These compartments are separated by a space that contains important ligaments, specifically the talocalcaneal and cervical ligaments, which play a vital role in stabilizing the joint. The procedure described by CPT® Code 29906 involves arthroscopy of the subtalar joint, which is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to visualize and treat conditions affecting this joint. During the procedure, the joint is first distracted to create space between the joint surfaces, allowing for better visualization. An arthroscope, a specialized instrument equipped with a camera, is then inserted through small incisions, or portals, to examine the joint thoroughly. The surgeon looks for any abnormalities in the articular cartilage, which is the smooth tissue that covers the ends of bones in the joint. If any irregularities are detected, the surgeon may probe the cartilage to assess its condition further. The procedure includes the removal of any abnormal tissue using a burr, which is a tool designed for debridement. After the debridement, the joint is irrigated to clear away any debris, and the arthroscope is withdrawn. To promote optimal healing post-surgery, the foot is positioned in a neutral plantigrade position, with the heel angled slightly outward (five to ten degrees of valgus), and a brace or splint is applied to support the joint during recovery.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The arthroscopy of the subtalar joint with debridement, as described by CPT® Code 29906, is indicated for various conditions affecting the subtalar joint. These indications may include:
The procedure for arthroscopy of the subtalar joint with debridement involves several key steps, which are detailed as follows:
After the arthroscopy and debridement of the subtalar joint, patients can expect specific post-procedure care and considerations. The foot will be placed in a neutral plantigrade position, which is essential for optimal healing. The application of a brace or splint provides necessary support to the joint, helping to stabilize it during the recovery phase. Patients may be advised to limit weight-bearing activities for a certain period to allow for proper healing. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to monitor the recovery process and assess the joint's function. Rehabilitation exercises may be introduced gradually to restore mobility and strength in the subtalar joint as healing progresses.
| Short Descr | SUBTALAR ARTHRO W/DEB | Medium Descr | ARTHROSCOPY SUBTALAR JOINT WITH DEBRIDEMENT | Long Descr | Arthroscopy, subtalar joint, surgical; with debridement | 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) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | 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 | Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 162 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on joints |
| 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). | 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. | 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.) | 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 | 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 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2008. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.