Summary & Overview
CPT 24332: Triceps Tendon Release for Elbow Flexion
CPT code 24332 denotes a surgical triceps tendon release at the elbow performed to improve joint flexion. The procedure is clinically important for patients with limited elbow bending from tendon adhesions, contractures, or post-injury stiffness and is typically performed in an operating room or ambulatory surgical center. Nationally, this code represents a focused upper-extremity surgical intervention with implications for surgical resource use, perioperative care, and rehabilitation planning.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and common billing modifiers associated with this surgical service. The publication provides benchmarks for coding and billing patterns, highlights recent policy or coverage considerations affecting reimbursement and authorization, and summarizes clinical factors that influence coding choices and utilization. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable. This summary is intended for a national audience of clinicians, coding professionals, and policy analysts seeking clarity on the use and billing context of CPT code 24332.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 24332 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider releases the triceps tendon around the elbow to improve elbow flexion (bending). This procedure is intended to free adhesions or tight tendon constraints that limit the joint's range of motion.
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Service type: Surgical release of triceps tendons to restore joint flexion
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Typical site of service: Operating room or ambulatory surgical center
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult presenting with decreased elbow flexion and posterior elbow pain due to triceps tendon adhesions or scarring after trauma, prior surgery, or chronic tendinopathy. The patient reports difficulty bending the elbow beyond a functional range, intermittent posterior elbow stiffness, and reduced ability to perform activities of daily living such as feeding or grooming. On exam there is limited active and passive elbow flexion with focal tenderness at the triceps insertion and restricted gliding of the triceps tendon. Conservative care (activity modification, NSAIDs, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injection if indicated) has failed.
The clinical workflow includes preoperative evaluation with focused history and physical, plain radiographs to rule out bony pathology, informed consent, and perioperative planning. The procedure, coded as 24332, is performed in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room under regional or general anesthesia. Intraoperatively the surgeon releases adhesions and frees the triceps tendon to restore excursion and elbow flexion. Postoperative care includes immobilization for the immediate period as indicated, early supervised range-of-motion therapy, pain control, and follow-up visit documentation of improved flexion and wound status.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
LT | Left side |