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Official Description

Neuroplasty, major peripheral nerve, arm or leg, open; sciatic nerve

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Neuroplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at relieving nerve entrapment, which can occur due to various factors such as inflammation of surrounding tissues, the presence of a tumor or mass, or the formation of scar tissue and adhesions. This procedure specifically targets major peripheral nerves in the arm or leg, with a focus on the sciatic nerve in the case of CPT® Code 64712. During the operation, an incision is made in the skin over the affected nerve, allowing the surgeon to access the underlying soft tissues. The surgeon carefully dissects these tissues to identify the nerve and any surrounding scar tissue or adhesions that may be compressing it. The goal is to meticulously free the nerve from any constricting structures, which may include dividing other anatomical components such as fascia or ligaments that contribute to the pressure on the nerve. Once the nerve is adequately liberated from these impediments, the surgeon proceeds to close the soft tissues in layers, ensuring proper healing and restoration of function. This procedure is critical for alleviating pain and restoring mobility in patients suffering from conditions related to sciatic nerve entrapment.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Neuroplasty of the sciatic nerve is indicated for patients experiencing symptoms related to nerve entrapment. These symptoms may include:

  • Pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, often described as sharp, shooting, or burning.
  • Numbness or tingling sensations in the leg or foot, which may indicate nerve compression.
  • Weakness in the leg or foot, affecting the ability to move or control the affected limb.
  • Difficulty in performing daily activities due to pain or discomfort associated with nerve entrapment.

2. Procedure

The neuroplasty procedure for the sciatic nerve involves several critical steps to ensure successful decompression of the nerve. The steps include:

  • Step 1: The patient is positioned appropriately, and anesthesia is administered to ensure comfort during the procedure. The surgical site is then prepared and draped in a sterile manner.
  • Step 2: An incision is made over the area where the sciatic nerve is located. This incision allows access to the underlying tissues and the nerve itself.
  • Step 3: The surgeon carefully dissects the soft tissues surrounding the nerve to expose it fully. This dissection is performed with precision to avoid damaging the nerve or surrounding structures.
  • Step 4: Once the nerve is identified, any scar tissue or adhesions that are compressing the nerve are meticulously dissected away. This step is crucial for relieving pressure on the nerve.
  • Step 5: In some cases, additional structures such as fascia or ligaments may need to be divided to further alleviate pressure on the nerve. This ensures that the nerve has adequate space to function properly.
  • Step 6: After the nerve has been completely freed from surrounding tissues and any impinging structures, the surgeon closes the soft tissues in layers, ensuring proper alignment and healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the neuroplasty procedure, patients can expect a recovery period that may involve monitoring for any signs of complications. Post-operative care typically includes pain management, instructions for activity restrictions, and guidance on rehabilitation exercises to promote healing and restore function. Patients may be advised to avoid strenuous activities for a specified period to allow the surgical site to heal properly. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess recovery progress and ensure that the nerve is healing adequately.

Short Descr REVISION OF SCIATIC NERVE
Medium Descr NEURP MAJOR PRPH NRV OPN ARM/LEG SCIATIC NRV
Long Descr Neuroplasty, major peripheral nerve, arm or leg, open; sciatic nerve
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 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) P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 6 - Decompression peripheral nerve

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

64727 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article Internal neurolysis, requiring use of operating microscope (List separately in addition to code for neuroplasty) (Neuroplasty includes external neurolysis)
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.
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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).
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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).
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.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
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.)
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).
AF Specialty physician
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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
2011-01-01 Changed Long description revised. Medium description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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