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Official Description

Neuroplasty and/or transposition; ulnar nerve at elbow

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 64718 involves neuroplasty and/or transposition of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. This surgical intervention is primarily aimed at addressing conditions related to nerve entrapment and compression, which can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness in the affected arm and hand. The ulnar nerve is a critical nerve that runs from the neck down to the hand, passing through several anatomical structures, including the cubital tunnel at the elbow. When the ulnar nerve becomes compressed or entrapped, it can result in a condition commonly known as cubital tunnel syndrome. The surgical procedure entails making an incision along the inner aspect of the elbow to access the ulnar nerve. During the operation, the surgeon carefully dissects the surrounding soft tissues to identify the nerve and remove any scar tissue or adhesions that may be causing the compression. In some cases, an anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve may be performed, which involves relocating the nerve from its original position behind the elbow to a new position in front of it. This repositioning can help alleviate pressure on the nerve and improve function. The procedure concludes with the closure of the soft tissues in layers, ensuring proper healing and recovery.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 64718 is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Ulnar Nerve Entrapment: This condition occurs when the ulnar nerve is compressed at the elbow, leading to symptoms such as pain, tingling, or numbness in the ring and little fingers.
  • Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: A specific type of ulnar nerve entrapment that occurs when the nerve is compressed as it passes through the cubital tunnel at the elbow, often resulting in discomfort and functional impairment.
  • Scar Tissue Formation: The presence of scar tissue or adhesions around the ulnar nerve can lead to compression, necessitating surgical intervention to relieve symptoms.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 64718 involves several key steps to ensure effective neuroplasty and/or transposition of the ulnar nerve at the elbow:

  • Step 1: Incision An incision is made along the inner aspect of the elbow, directly over the ulnar nerve. This incision allows the surgeon to access the nerve and surrounding tissues.
  • Step 2: Dissection The soft tissues surrounding the ulnar nerve are carefully dissected to expose the nerve. This step is crucial for identifying any areas of compression or entrapment.
  • Step 3: Identification of the Ulnar Nerve The ulnar nerve is identified during the dissection process. The surgeon ensures that the nerve is clearly visible and accessible for further treatment.
  • Step 4: Removal of Scar Tissue Any scar tissue or adhesions that are found to be compressing the ulnar nerve are meticulously dissected free. This step is essential for relieving pressure on the nerve and restoring its function.
  • Step 5: Anterior Transposition (if applicable) If indicated, an anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve may be performed. This involves relocating the nerve from its usual position behind the elbow to a position in front of it, either subcutaneously or beneath the muscle.
  • Step 6: Closure Once the ulnar nerve is completely freed from surrounding tissues and any impinging structures, the soft tissues are closed in layers to promote proper healing.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the 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 wound care, and guidance on activity restrictions to ensure proper healing. Patients may also be advised to engage in physical therapy to regain strength and mobility in the affected arm and hand. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and the effectiveness of the procedure in alleviating symptoms associated with ulnar nerve entrapment.

Short Descr REVISE ULNAR NERVE AT ELBOW
Medium Descr NEUROPLASTY &/TRANSPOSITION ULNAR NERVE ELBOW
Long Descr Neuroplasty and/or transposition; ulnar nerve at elbow
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) 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 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) 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.

0882T New Code for 2024 Add on code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N ASC N1 Intraoperative therapeutic electrical stimulation of peripheral nerve to promote nerve regeneration, including lead placement and removal, upper extremity, minimum of 10 minutes; initial nerve (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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)
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)
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).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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.
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
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.)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
P3 A patient with severe systemic disease
QK Medical direction of two, three, or four concurrent anesthesia procedures involving qualified individuals
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient 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).
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).
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
55 Postoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the postoperative management and another performed the surgical procedure, the postoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 55 to the usual procedure number.
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.
73 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure prior to the administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may cancel a surgical or diagnostic procedure subsequent to the patient's surgical preparation (including sedation when provided, and being taken to the room where the procedure is to be performed), but prior to the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s) or general). under these circumstances, the intended service that is prepared for but cancelled can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 73. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
74 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
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.)
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
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).
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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
F4 Left hand, fifth digit
F5 Right hand, thumb
F7 Right hand, third digit
F9 Right hand, fifth digit
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
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
PT Colorectal cancer screening test; converted to diagnostic test or other procedure
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
T1 Left foot, second digit
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
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
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