Query: Anterior Talofibular Ligament Tear
A patient had an anterior talofibular ligament
tear. The patient was taken to surgery where the
ligament was reconstructed. What code do I bill
for this procedure? .
Deb Carr, CCS
Enola, PA
Codingline Response: If the lateral ankle repair
was done as a primary repair following a recent
ankle injury, the correct CPT would be CPT 27695
(repair primary, disrupted ligament, ankle,
collateral).
If, however, the surgery was done as a secondary
injury repair (e.g., repair of chronic unstable
ankle), the code would be CPT 27698 (repair,
secondary disrupted ligament, ankle,
collateral).
Howard Zlotoff, DPM
Camp Hill, PA
