Summary & Overview
CPT 25350: Distal Radius Osteotomy for Forearm Angular Deformity
CPT code 25350 represents a corrective osteotomy of the distal one-third of the radial shaft in which bone is excised to correct angular deformity of the forearm. Nationally, this code captures surgical care for congenital or acquired deformities and trauma sequelae that impair forearm alignment and function. The procedure is performed by orthopedic surgeons in operating rooms or ambulatory surgery centers and has implications for surgical coding accuracy, bundled payment policies, and postoperative rehabilitation planning.
Key payers covered in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for CPT code 25350, common sites of service, and the typical clinical indications that drive use of the code. The publication also provides benchmarking and reimbursement context where available, notes on claim bundling and surgical setting considerations, and guidance on documentation elements that support appropriate coding. Data not available in the input is noted as such where applicable. This summary is intended for national audiences including coding professionals, hospital billing teams, and orthopedic clinical leaders seeking a clear reference for CPT code 25350.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 25350 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider excises a segment of bone from the lower one-third of the radius to correct conditions such as an angular deformity of the forearm. This procedure is an orthopedic corrective osteotomy of the distal radial shaft intended to restore alignment and function of the forearm and wrist.
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Service type: Surgical orthopedic procedure — corrective osteotomy of the distal radius
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center where orthopedic procedures are performed
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 12-year-old patient presents with a progressive angular deformity of the distal radius causing visible forearm bowing, reduced wrist range of motion, and pain with activity. Radiographs demonstrate a malunited distal radial fracture with a fixed angular deformity of the lower one-third of the radius and evidence of growth-plate closure on the affected side. After clinic evaluation, conservative measures (observation, physical therapy, and splinting) have failed to correct function and symptoms. The orthopedic surgeon schedules a distal radial osteotomy to excise a wedge of bone from the lower one-third of the radius to correct alignment, restore forearm rotation, and relieve pain.
The clinical workflow includes preoperative assessment (history, physical exam, neurovascular check), imaging (standard wrist and forearm radiographs, possible CT for complex deformity), consent and surgical planning (type and size of bone wedge, fixation method), the operative procedure (25350) performed in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room under regional or general anesthesia, intraoperative fluoroscopic confirmation of correction, fixation (plates/screws or K-wires), postoperative immobilization in a cast or splint, and scheduled follow-up visits with serial radiographs to confirm union and functional rehabilitation.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services |