AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2019 Issue 3; Ask the Editor
Acromioclavicular Joint Reconstruction Using Allograft
A patient is diagnosed with a left shoulder Grade V acromioclavicular (AC) joint injury, with complete rupture of the conoid and trapezoid coracoclavicular ligaments, and disruption of the AC joint capsule. He was taken to the operating room for anatomic reconstruction of the left shoulder AC joint capsule and coracoclavicular ligaments. Via open incision, some of the distal clavicle was removed, and two drill holes were placed in the remaining clavicle. Allograft was passed through the medial hole, the acromioclavicular joint was reduced, and allograft was secured with a screw on the lateral hole. The remaining allograft tissue was extended to reconstruct the acromioclavicular superior joint capsule. What is the correct procedure code for the AC joint reconstruction utilizing allograft? ...
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This premium article focuses on operative repair of a severe acromioclavicular joint injury in the shoulder, including reconstruction of supporting ligamentous structures with allograft tissue. It is intended for coders and billing professionals who work with orthopedic surgery documentation and procedure code selection. The article centers on how the documented operative approach maps to the appropriate procedure coding framework.
Why This Topic Matters
Shoulder reconstruction cases often require careful review of the operative note to understand the extent of repair and the structures addressed. Accurate coding depends on recognizing the specific procedure performed and the surgical approach documented.
What You Will Learn
- How the documented shoulder reconstruction is characterized for coding review.
- What aspects of the operative note are relevant to procedure code identification.
- How allograft-based reconstruction cases are framed within orthopedic coding discussions.
- Which coding framework is implicated by the operative scenario.
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Orthopedic surgery billers
- Revenue cycle staff
- Clinical documentation specialists
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com