Question

A 14 year-old status post injury over one year ago to her left wrist presented with recurrent wrist pain. the patient was taken to the operating room and placed under general anesthesia. she was placed in wrist traction. the radiocarpal joint was entered endoscopically through sharp skin incisions and blunt dissection into the joint. there was found to be mild synovitis in the dorsal ulnar aspect of the wrist. this was debrided arthroscopically with a shaver. there was a peripheral tear of the triangular fibrocartilage. this area was shaved to promote healing. using outside-in technique, a pds suture was placed across the tfcc and into the capsule. there was synovitis within the midcarpal joint, but there was no articular injury. all instruments were removed and the wounds were closed with interrupted nylon sutures. what cpt® code(s) is /are reported?

Answer 1

It either lighter than the ventral or darker than the ventral

Answer 2

This patient was operated on the wrist using endoscopic techniques in entering the radiocarpal joint as well as arthroscopic debridement of the dorsal ulnar aspect of the wrist. The corresponding CPT code is CPT 29846, Under Endoscopy/Arthroscopy Procedures on the Musculoskeletal System.