CPT 24310: Open Tendon Release, Elbow and Upper Arm Contracture
CPT code 24310 denotes an open surgical tendon release performed through an incision over the elbow and upper arm to expose and incise the tendon and release a contracture. This procedure addresses functional limitation from tendon contracture and is relevant across surgical specialties managing upper-extremity mobility. Nationally, the code is used in operative documentation, claims processing, and clinical registry reporting for contracture-release procedures.
Key payers in the national landscape include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for the procedure, common sites of service, and the scope of billing practice for this code. The publication summarizes how the code is applied in claims, highlights common modifiers and billing considerations (listed separately), and provides benchmarks and policy context where available.
This article is organized to give clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts a concise reference: a clinical description of the service, payer coverage landscape, coding considerations, and links to related policy or reimbursement updates when present. Data not available in the input will be noted in the relevant sections.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 24310 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider makes an incision over the elbow and upper arm to expose and incise a tendon and release a contracture. This procedure is a surgical tendon release intended to relieve contracture-related restriction around the elbow and proximal forearm.
Service Type: Open surgical tendon release
Typical Site of Service: Operating room or ambulatory surgical center, with the incision localized to the elbow and upper arm region.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old patient presents with progressive elbow flexion contracture and painful limitation of extension due to a chronically shortened or fibrotic distal biceps or brachialis tendon following prior injury and conservative management failure. The patient reports decreased range of motion impacting activities of daily living and physical therapy has not restored functional extension. The orthopedic surgeon schedules an open tendon lengthening/release of the elbow and upper arm under regional block or general anesthesia.
Preoperative workflow includes focused history and exam, documentation of contracture severity and prior treatments, informed consent, preoperative imaging if indicated (plain radiographs; ultrasound or MRI if tendon pathology unclear), and anesthesia evaluation. Intraoperative steps: incision over the antecubital region and distal upper arm, careful dissection to identify the affected tendon and neurovascular structures, controlled incision or Z-lengthening of the tendon to release the contracture, hemostasis, possible repair or imbrication depending on findings, and layered closure with sterile dressing and immobilization.
Postoperative care includes pain control, wound checks, early protected range-of-motion per surgeon protocol, referral to hand/upper-extremity therapy, and documentation of operative findings and estimated blood loss. Typical follow-up documents progression of range of motion and any complications such as infection or nerve irritation.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when the procedure required substantially greater work than typical (extensive dissection, unusually prolonged time) and appropriate documentation supports it. |
23 | Unusual anesthesia | Use when an ordinarily elective procedure is performed under general anesthesia due to medical necessity. |
26 | Professional component | Use if reporting only the physician’s professional component for a separately reportable service associated with the procedure (rare for this operative code). |
50 | Bilateral procedure | Use when identical procedure is performed on both upper extremities during same operative session with appropriate modifier rules. |
51 | Multiple procedures | Use when additional distinct procedures are performed at the same session; appending per payer guidelines for multiple codes. |
52 | Reduced services | Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned (document reason). |
53 | Discontinued procedure | Use when procedure is started but halted due to extenuating circumstances or safety concerns. |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Use to indicate a procedure or service that is distinct or independent from other services provided on the same day. |
62 | Two surgeons | Use when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct surgical portions of a procedure. |
78 | Return to OR for related procedure during postoperative period | Use when a related procedure for a complication or complication management is performed during the global period. |
79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during postoperative period | Use when an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period. |
80 | Assistant surgeon | Use when a qualified assistant surgeon provides assistance during the procedure. |
81 | Minimum assistant surgeon | Use when a physician assistant provides minimal assistance under payer rules where applicable. |
LT | Left side | Use to identify the left anatomic side when laterality is required by payer. |
RT | Right side | Use to identify the right anatomic side when laterality is required by payer. |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 207XS0101X | Orthopaedic Surgery | Primary specialty performing tendon release/lengthening procedures of the elbow and upper extremity. |
| 207K00000X | Hand Surgery | Subspecialty focus on hand and upper-extremity tendon and contracture procedures. |
| 208100000X | General Surgery | Some general surgeons with upper-extremity training may perform releases in specific settings. |
| 2080P0228X | Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | Involved in postoperative management and nonoperative care coordination. |
| 2084P0215X | Plastic Surgery | May perform reconstructive tendon releases when soft-tissue reconstruction is required. |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
M24.31 | Recurrent dislocation, right shoulder | Data not available in the input. |
M24.32 | Recurrent dislocation, left shoulder | Data not available in the input. |
M24.221 | Stiffness of right elbow, not elsewhere classified | Common indication for tendon release to restore elbow extension and function. |
M24.222 | Stiffness of left elbow, not elsewhere classified | Same as above for the left side when contracture limits motion. |
M67.811 | Other synovitis and tenosynovitis, right elbow | Associated inflammatory tendon conditions that may contribute to contracture and require surgical release. |
M67.812 | Other synovitis and tenosynovitis, left elbow | As above for the left elbow. |
M62.81 | Muscle weakness (generalized) | May be listed as secondary when muscle imbalance contributes to functional limitation; often relevant in assessment and rehab planning. |
S46.011A | Strain of muscle, fascia and tendon of right shoulder girdle, initial encounter | Acute or chronic tendon injuries leading to scarring and contracture that may require surgical release. |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
24310 | Incision and tendon release/lengthening, elbow and upper arm (the primary procedure described) | Primary operative code for open tendon release/lengthening to correct elbow contracture. |
29848 | Arthroscopic release, elbow; capsular contracture or loose body removal | Used when an arthroscopic approach is elected for capsular contracture or intra-articular pathology instead of an open tendon release. |
25320 | Excision or release of muscle contracture, forearm or elbow; open | Alternative or adjunct open contracture release code depending on the specific tissue released and surgeon technique. |
20610 | Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection procedure (large joint) | May be used pre- or postoperatively for diagnostic or therapeutic injection around the elbow for pain management. |
97001 | Physical therapy evaluation | Used in the postoperative period for evaluation and to establish rehabilitation plan for range-of-motion restoration. |
29827 | Arthroscopy, elbow, debridement/loose body removal | Performed when intra-articular pathology is addressed at the same session or in staged care pathways. |