10/08/2005    Richard Stone, DPM

Hallux Varus Repair

Query: Hallux Varus Repair

What is the proper code(s) for soft tissue
repair of hallux varus?
I performed the following:
- a release of the medial capsule
- release of the abductor hallucis tendon
- lateral reefing of the joint capsule.

Richard Stone, DPM ,Burlingame, CA

Codingline Response: I would look at CPT 28313
(reconstruction, angular deformity of toe, soft
tissue procedures only).

Denise Paige, CPC, Long Beach, CA

Other messages in this thread:

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10/29/2003    Leonard Kuzmicki, DPM

Hallux Varus Repair Coding

Query: Hallux Varus Repair Coding.

How would one properly code for a hallux varus
repair consisting of
- an abductor tendon release,
- medial 1st MTPJ capsulotomy,
- tibial sesamoidectomy, and
- relocation of the EHL tendon?

Leonard Kuzmicki, DPM
Spring Valley, IL

Codingline Response: There is no single code
that encompasses all the procedures you describe
in correcting a hallux varus deformity. I
believe the most reasonable coding for these
components would be :

CPT 28240 (tenotomy, lengthening, or release,
abductor hallucis muscle); and
CPT 28315 (sesamoidectomy, first toe [separate
procedure]).

I would expect the relocation of the extensor
hallucis longus (EHL) tendon, and the medial 1st
metatarsal-phalangeal joint (MTPJ) capsulotomy
to be incidental, and included in the above
allowances. I do not believe they should not be
billed separately.

Howard Zlotoff, DPM
Camp Hill, PA

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10/29/2003    Leonard Kuzmicki, DPM

Hallux Varus Repair Coding

Query: Hallux Varus Repair Coding.

How would one properly code for a hallux varus
repair consisting of
- an abductor tendon release,
- medial 1st MTPJ capsulotomy,
- tibial sesamoidectomy, and
- relocation of the EHL tendon?

Leonard Kuzmicki, DPM
Spring Valley, IL

Codingline Response: There is no single code
that encompasses all the procedures you describe
in correcting a hallux varus deformity. I
believe the most reasonable coding for these
components would be :

CPT 28240 (tenotomy, lengthening, or release,
abductor hallucis muscle); and
CPT 28315 (sesamoidectomy, first toe [separate
procedure]).

I would expect the relocation of the extensor
hallucis longus (EHL) tendon, and the medial 1st
metatarsal-phalangeal joint (MTPJ) capsulotomy
to be incidental, and included in the above
allowances. I do not believe they should not be
billed separately.

Howard Zlotoff, DPM
Camp Hill, PA

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10/26/2002    David Wolf, DPM

Coding For Hallux Varus Repair

Query: Coding For Hallux Varus Repair
From: David Wolf, DPM

I did a soft tissue hallux varus repair (soft
tissue capsular release; teno-capsulorraphy) last
week.

What is the diagnosis and procedure code?

David Wolf, DPM
Houston, TX

-----Codingline-L Responses

The diagnosis code would be ICD-9 735.1
(hallux varus, acquired).

Denise Paige, CPC- Codingline-L Expert Panelist
Los Angeles, CA

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As far as the procedure is concerned, it
depends on extent of the soft tissue repair.
There is no all- purpose code for hallux varus
repair.

Tony Poggio, DPM- Codingline-L Expert Panelist
Alameda, CA