Summary & Overview
CPT 24145: Partial Debridement of Infected Radial Head or Neck
CPT code 24145 represents partial excision or debridement of the radial head or neck to remove infected tissue. This orthopaedic surgical procedure is clinically important for managing localized infection of the proximal radius and can affect postoperative function, infection control, and downstream care utilization. Nationally, appropriate coding and coverage determination for such procedures influence hospital and ambulatory surgery center workflows, documentation standards, and payer authorization processes.
Key payers commonly involved in coverage decisions include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical and coding overview of the procedure, an outline of expected sites of service, and a summary of what to look for in payer coverage and claims submission. The publication also highlights typical benchmarks and policy considerations relevant to this type of orthopaedic debridement, emphasizing documentation elements, potential billing modifiers, and common clinical contexts where the code may be used.
This summary serves clinicians, coding professionals, and policy analysts seeking a national-level briefing on CPT code 24145, its clinical intent, and the payer environment typically involved in authorization and reimbursement decisions.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 24145 describes a surgical procedure in which the infected portion of the radial head or neck is removed by partial scraping (curettage) to eliminate localized infection. This procedure is classified as an orthopaedic surgical debridement of the proximal radius.
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Service type: Surgical debridement / orthopaedic procedure
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center where orthopaedic procedures and surgical debridement are performed.
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 56-year-old male presents with progressive lateral elbow pain, swelling, and limited forearm rotation after a history of septic arthritis of the elbow. Imaging (X-ray and MRI) demonstrates focal osteomyelitic involvement and subluxation changes isolated to the radial head with retained sequestra. The orthopedic surgeon schedules a focused debridement of the radial head/neck to remove infected bone and granulation tissue while preserving as much joint function as possible. The procedure is performed in an operating room under regional block or general anesthesia with sterile prep and fluoroscopic assistance as needed. Intraoperative cultures are obtained, and the surgeon performs curettage and debridement of the radial head/neck (partial excision) followed by irrigation and placement of a drain if required. Postoperative plan includes targeted IV antibiotics based on cultures, wound checks, and early supervised range-of-motion rehabilitation once infection control is established.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
51 | Multiple Procedure | When additional distinct surgical procedures are performed during the same operative session on the same day. |
52 | Reduced Services |