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CPT 25240: Excision of Distal Ulna for Wrist Arthritis or Malunion

CPT code 25240 identifies the surgical excision of the distal ulna at the wrist, performed partially or completely to treat pain from arthritis or deformity due to malunion after fracture. Nationally, this code represents a focused orthopedic procedure used to restore wrist biomechanics and reduce chronic pain in affected patients. It is relevant to inpatient and outpatient surgical settings, including hospital operating rooms and ambulatory surgical centers.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find clinical context for when the procedure is used, typical sites of service, and payer coverage considerations. The publication provides benchmarks where available, summarizes policy and coding guidance relevant to the procedure, and outlines clinical indications and procedural context to aid billing and administrative workflows. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 25240 describes the surgical excision of the distal ulna (wrist end of the ulna), performed partially or completely to address pain from arthritis or to correct malunion from a prior fracture. This procedure involves removing all or part of the distal ulna to relieve joint impingement, improve wrist function, and reduce chronic pain.

Service type: Surgical procedure, orthopedic/wrist surgery
Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center

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CPT 25240: Excision of Distal Ulna for Wrist Arthritis or Malunion

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Surgical procedure, orthopedic/wrist surgery
Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 62-year-old right-hand dominant patient with chronic ulnar-sided wrist pain from posttraumatic malunion of a distal ulna fracture and progressive radiocarpal/ulnocarpal arthritis presents for surgical management. Conservative therapy including immobilization, activity modification, NSAIDs, and corticosteroid injection provided only temporary relief. Imaging (radiographs and CT) demonstrates positive ulnar variance with degenerative changes at the distal radioulnar joint. After preoperative evaluation and informed consent, the patient is scheduled for a distal ulnar excision (ulnectomy) under regional block or general anesthesia in an ambulatory surgical center. The intraoperative workflow includes positioning, sterile prep, longitudinal dorsal or ulnar incision, exposure of the distal ulna, partial or complete excision of the ulnar head/shaft as indicated, irrigation, hemostasis, and layered closure. Postoperative care includes immobilization in a splint, pain control, early hand therapy referral, wound checks, and activity restrictions. Typical sites of service are an ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department for elective procedures; inpatient setting is uncommon unless comorbidities require admission.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`00`	Default/No modifier specified in some payer systems	Use when no specific CMS modifier applies and payer requires a two-character modifier field left blank or with primary code; rarely used clinically.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the excision is intentionally partially performed with a significant reduction in the extent, duration, or intensity of the service.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to extenuating circumstances prior to completion.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons from different specialties perform distinct portions of the procedure concurrently.
`76`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period	Use when an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period for a prior surgery.
`RT`	Right side	Use to specify the procedure was performed on the right upper extremity.
`LT`	Left side	Use to specify the procedure was performed on the left upper extremity.
`22`	Increased procedural service	Use when the work required to perform the ulnectomy is substantially greater than typically required (document rationale).
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the excision is intentionally partially performed with a significant reduction in the extent, duration, or intensity of the service.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207LH0000X	Orthopaedic Hand Surgery	Specialists who commonly perform distal ulnar excision for arthritis or malunion.
207X00000X	Orthopaedic Surgery	General orthopaedic surgeons performing upper extremity procedures.
207W00000X	Surgery of the Hand	Surgeons focused on hand and wrist pathology.
2080S0003X	Plastic Surgery - Hand	Plastic surgeons with hand surgery fellowship training who may perform reconstructive procedures of the distal ulna.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M19.239`	Primary osteoarthritis, unspecified wrist	Degenerative wrist arthritis causing pain that may be treated with distal ulnar excision when localized to the ulnar side.
`M16.0`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.
`M84.372A`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.
`S52.201A`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.
`M21.4`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`25240`	Excision, distal ulna (Darrach type), partial or complete	Primary procedure: removal of distal ulna to address pain from arthritis or malunion.
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder); without ultrasound guidance	Preoperative diagnostic or therapeutic aspiration/injection of wrist joint or DRUJ for symptom relief or diagnostic confirmation.
`25200`	Arthrotomy, wrist and/or radiocarpal joint; with exploration, debridement, or synovectomy	May be performed in conjunction with ulnectomy if joint debridement is required.
`26010`	Drainage of hematoma, deep, forearm	Postoperative complication management if deep hematoma requires drainage.
`20550`	Injection(s); single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis	Corticosteroid injection into the distal radioulnar joint or ulnocarpal tissues as prior conservative management.

CPT 25065: Excisional Biopsy of Superficial Soft Tissue, Forearm/Wrist

CPT-25066-FOREARM-WRIST-SUBFASCIAL-INTRAMUSCULAR-BIOPSY

CPT 25066: Excisional Biopsy of Subfascial/Intramuscular Forearm or Wrist Tissue

CPT-25071-FOREARM-WRIST-SOFT-TISSUE-MASS-EXCISION-3CM-OR-GREATER

CPT 25071: Excision of Soft-Tissue Mass, Forearm or Wrist (≥3 cm)

CPT-25073-FOREARM-WRIST-DEEP-SOFT-TISSUE-MASS-EXCISION-3CM-OR-GREATER

CPT 25073: Excision of Deep Soft Tissue or Intramuscular Mass, Forearm/Wrist

CPT-25075-FOREARM-WRIST-SUBCUTANEOUS-MASS-EXCISION-3CM-OR-LESS

CPT 25075: Excision of Subcutaneous Forearm or Wrist Mass, ≤3 cm

CPT-25076-FOREARM-WRIST-DEEP-SOFT-TISSUE-MASS-EXCISION-3CM-OR-LESS

CPT 25076: Excision of Deep Soft Tissue/Muscle Mass of Forearm or Wrist

CPT-25077-RADICAL-RESECTION-SOFT-TISSUE-FOREARM-WRIST-LESS-THAN-3CM

CPT 25077: Radical Resection of Soft-Tissue Tumor, Forearm/Wrist, <3 cm

CPT-25078-FOREARM-WRIST-SOFT-TISSUE-TUMOR-WIDE-EXCISION

CPT 25078: Excision of Forearm/Wrist Soft Tissue Tumor with Wide Excision

CPT-25085-WRIST-JOINT-CAPSULOTOMY-RELEASE-CONTRACTURE

CPT 25085: Wrist Joint Capsule Release (Capsulotomy)

CPT-25100-WRIST-JOINT-BIOPSY-INCISION

CPT 25100: Incision and Biopsy of Wrist Joint

Showing 1–10 of 34

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`00`	Default/No modifier specified in some payer systems	Use when no specific CMS modifier applies and payer requires a two-character modifier field left blank or with primary code; rarely used clinically.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the excision is intentionally partially performed with a significant reduction in the extent, duration, or intensity of the service.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to extenuating circumstances prior to completion.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons from different specialties perform distinct portions of the procedure concurrently.
`76`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period	Use when an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period for a prior surgery.
`RT`	Right side	Use to specify the procedure was performed on the right upper extremity.
`LT`	Left side	Use to specify the procedure was performed on the left upper extremity.
`22`	Increased procedural service	Use when the work required to perform the ulnectomy is substantially greater than typically required (document rationale).
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the excision is intentionally partially performed with a significant reduction in the extent, duration, or intensity of the service.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207LH0000X	Orthopaedic Hand Surgery	Specialists who commonly perform distal ulnar excision for arthritis or malunion.
207X00000X	Orthopaedic Surgery	General orthopaedic surgeons performing upper extremity procedures.
207W00000X	Surgery of the Hand	Surgeons focused on hand and wrist pathology.
2080S0003X	Plastic Surgery - Hand	Plastic surgeons with hand surgery fellowship training who may perform reconstructive procedures of the distal ulna.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M19.239`	Primary osteoarthritis, unspecified wrist	Degenerative wrist arthritis causing pain that may be treated with distal ulnar excision when localized to the ulnar side.
`M16.0`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.
`M84.372A`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.
`S52.201A`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.
`M21.4`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`25240`	Excision, distal ulna (Darrach type), partial or complete	Primary procedure: removal of distal ulna to address pain from arthritis or malunion.
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder); without ultrasound guidance	Preoperative diagnostic or therapeutic aspiration/injection of wrist joint or DRUJ for symptom relief or diagnostic confirmation.
`25200`	Arthrotomy, wrist and/or radiocarpal joint; with exploration, debridement, or synovectomy	May be performed in conjunction with ulnectomy if joint debridement is required.
`26010`	Drainage of hematoma, deep, forearm	Postoperative complication management if deep hematoma requires drainage.
`20550`	Injection(s); single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis	Corticosteroid injection into the distal radioulnar joint or ulnocarpal tissues as prior conservative management.

CPT 25065: Excisional Biopsy of Superficial Soft Tissue, Forearm/Wrist

CPT-25066-FOREARM-WRIST-SUBFASCIAL-INTRAMUSCULAR-BIOPSY

CPT 25066: Excisional Biopsy of Subfascial/Intramuscular Forearm or Wrist Tissue

CPT-25071-FOREARM-WRIST-SOFT-TISSUE-MASS-EXCISION-3CM-OR-GREATER

CPT 25071: Excision of Soft-Tissue Mass, Forearm or Wrist (≥3 cm)

CPT-25073-FOREARM-WRIST-DEEP-SOFT-TISSUE-MASS-EXCISION-3CM-OR-GREATER

CPT 25073: Excision of Deep Soft Tissue or Intramuscular Mass, Forearm/Wrist

CPT-25075-FOREARM-WRIST-SUBCUTANEOUS-MASS-EXCISION-3CM-OR-LESS

CPT 25075: Excision of Subcutaneous Forearm or Wrist Mass, ≤3 cm

CPT-25076-FOREARM-WRIST-DEEP-SOFT-TISSUE-MASS-EXCISION-3CM-OR-LESS

CPT 25076: Excision of Deep Soft Tissue/Muscle Mass of Forearm or Wrist

CPT-25077-RADICAL-RESECTION-SOFT-TISSUE-FOREARM-WRIST-LESS-THAN-3CM

CPT 25077: Radical Resection of Soft-Tissue Tumor, Forearm/Wrist, <3 cm

CPT-25078-FOREARM-WRIST-SOFT-TISSUE-TUMOR-WIDE-EXCISION

CPT 25078: Excision of Forearm/Wrist Soft Tissue Tumor with Wide Excision

CPT-25085-WRIST-JOINT-CAPSULOTOMY-RELEASE-CONTRACTURE

CPT 25085: Wrist Joint Capsule Release (Capsulotomy)

CPT-25100-WRIST-JOINT-BIOPSY-INCISION

CPT 25100: Incision and Biopsy of Wrist Joint

Showing 1–10 of 34

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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CPT 25240: Excision of Distal Ulna for Wrist Arthritis or Malunion

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Billing Code Overview

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CPT 25240: Excision of Distal Ulna for Wrist Arthritis or Malunion

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 25240: Excision of Distal Ulna for Wrist Arthritis or Malunion

Sign up for cpt 25240 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

CPT 25240: Excision of Distal Ulna for Wrist Arthritis or Malunion

Sign up for cpt 25240 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 25240 represent and when is it typically performed?

Which modifiers are commonly used with CPT 25240 and in what situations?

Which provider specialties or taxonomy codes commonly perform this procedure?

What related CPT codes should billing staff be aware of when coding care around a distal ulna excision?

Which diagnosis codes are associated with CPT 25240 according to the page?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 25240 represent and when is it typically performed?

Which modifiers are commonly used with CPT 25240 and in what situations?

Which provider specialties or taxonomy codes commonly perform this procedure?

What related CPT codes should billing staff be aware of when coding care around a distal ulna excision?

Which diagnosis codes are associated with CPT 25240 according to the page?

References