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Official Description

Injection(s), anesthetic agent(s) and/or steroid; plantar common digital nerve(s) (eg, Morton's neuroma)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 64455 refers to the procedure of injecting anesthetic agents and/or steroids into the plantar common digital nerve(s), which is commonly performed for conditions such as Morton's neuroma. This procedure is typically indicated when a patient experiences pain or discomfort in the foot, particularly in the area between the toes, which may be due to nerve entrapment or irritation. The injection aims to provide relief from pain and inflammation by delivering medication directly to the affected nerve area. The procedure is performed with the patient in a supine position, ensuring comfort and accessibility to the foot. The technique involves careful palpation of the interdigital spaces to identify any areas of tenderness or fullness, which guides the injection site. The use of a needle at a specific angle and depth is crucial to accurately target the nerve while minimizing discomfort and avoiding surrounding structures. This procedure may involve the injection of one or more common digital nerves, utilizing either a local anesthetic, a steroid, or a combination of both to achieve optimal therapeutic effects.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 64455 is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Morton's neuroma - A condition characterized by a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to the toes, causing pain and discomfort.
  • Interdigital neuroma - Painful nerve entrapment occurring between the toes, often resulting in sharp, burning sensations.
  • Plantar nerve entrapment - A condition where the plantar nerves are compressed, leading to pain in the foot.

2. Procedure

The procedure begins with the patient positioned supine, ensuring comfort and ease of access to the foot. The knee is flexed and supported with a pillow, while the foot is maintained in a relaxed neutral position. The healthcare provider palpates the interdigital spaces to identify any tenderness or fullness, which are critical indicators for the injection site. Once the appropriate area is determined, the needle is inserted on the dorsal surface of the foot. The insertion point is located 1-2 cm proximal to the web space and aligned with the metatarsophalangeal joints. The needle is held at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and advanced through the mid-web space, targeting the area of fullness at the plantar aspect of the foot. The needle is carefully advanced until it tents the skin, indicating that it has reached the appropriate depth, and then it is withdrawn slightly to the tip of the neuroma. It is essential to avoid the plantar fat pad during this process to minimize discomfort and complications. An anesthetic agent is injected first to confirm the diagnosis by providing immediate pain relief, followed by the injection of a steroid. In some cases, a mixture of steroid and anesthetic may be utilized to enhance the therapeutic effect. The procedure may involve the injection of one or more common digital nerves, depending on the extent of the condition being treated.

3. Post-Procedure

After the injection procedure, patients are typically monitored for any immediate adverse reactions. It is common for patients to experience some temporary relief from pain shortly after the anesthetic is administered. However, the full effect of the steroid may take several days to manifest. Patients are advised to rest the foot and avoid strenuous activities for a short period to allow for optimal recovery. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of the injection and determine if additional treatments are necessary. Patients should also be informed about potential side effects, such as localized swelling or discomfort at the injection site, and instructed to report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

Short Descr NJX AA&/STRD PLTR COM DG NRV
Medium Descr NJX AA&/STRD PLANTAR COMMON DIGITAL NERVES
Long Descr Injection(s), anesthetic agent(s) and/or steroid; plantar common digital nerve(s) (eg, Morton's neuroma)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
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) 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.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
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) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 8 - Other non-OR or closed therapeutic nervous system procedures

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

77002 CPT Add On MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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)
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).
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.
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).
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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.
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.)
T1 Left foot, second digit
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
T2 Left foot, third digit
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
T7 Right foot, third digit
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
AG Primary physician
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
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.
25 Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59.
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
56 Preoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the preoperative care and evaluation and another performed the surgical procedure, the preoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 56 to the usual procedure number.
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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 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.)
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AR Physician provider services in a physician scarcity area
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)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
ET Emergency services
F1 Left hand, second digit
F2 Left hand, third digit
F4 Left hand, fifth digit
F7 Right hand, third digit
F8 Right hand, fourth digit
F9 Right hand, fifth digit
FA Left hand, thumb
G5 Most recent urr reading of 75 or greater
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
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
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
PN Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
Q5 Service furnished under a reciprocal billing 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
Q7 One class a finding
Q8 Two class b findings
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
T3 Left foot, fourth digit
T4 Left foot, fifth digit
T5 Right foot, great toe
T6 Right foot, second digit
T8 Right foot, fourth digit
T9 Right foot, fifth digit
TA Left foot, great toe
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
X2 Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services
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
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
Date
Action
Notes
2022-01-01 Changed First appearance of Guideline change in codebook.
2021-06-07 Changed Guideline changed per CPT Errata. Second parenthetical note moved to follow code 64484.
2021-01-01 Changed Code changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2009-01-01 Added Code added.
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