Summary & Overview
CPT 26410: Extensor Tendon Repair of the Hand, No Graft
CPT code 26410 represents surgical repair of extensor tendons of the hand without a graft, used when one or more extensor tendons are lacerated or ruptured and normal hand movement is impaired. The code distinguishes timing of repair: procedures within seven days of injury are primary repairs, while those after seven days are secondary repairs. This code matters nationally because hand tendon injuries are common in both acute trauma and delayed presentation, and appropriate coding affects clinical documentation, surgical workflow, and payer adjudication.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for extensor tendon repair, typical sites of service, and the implications of primary versus secondary repair timing. The publication outlines common billing considerations and the landscape of payer coverage practices, plus benchmarks and policy updates relevant to surgical hand procedures.
The reporting provides practical context for clinicians, coding professionals, and policy analysts seeking clarity on use of CPT code 26410, expected care settings, and how timing of repair is classified. Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 pairings, and related codes is noted where applicable elsewhere in the full publication.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 26410 describes surgical repair of one or more extensor tendons of the hand without use of a graft. This procedure addresses lacerations or ruptures of extensor tendons that cause loss of normal hand movement. When the repair is performed within seven days of the injury it is considered a primary repair; repairs performed more than seven days after injury are considered secondary repairs.
Service type: Surgical tendon repair (extensor tendon repair of the hand)
Typical site of service: Operating room or procedure suite in an outpatient surgical center or hospital setting, with postoperative hand therapy commonly provided in outpatient rehabilitation clinics.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 34-year-old right-hand-dominant male presents to the emergency department after cutting his dorsal hand on broken glass while unloading dishes. He has a transverse laceration over the dorsum of the proximal phalanx with loss of active finger extension at the proximal interphalangeal joint. Examination and ultrasound confirm a complete extensor tendon laceration without associated fractures. The surgical team evaluates the patient within 48 hours and schedules operative repair. In the operating room under regional block and sterile technique, the hand surgeon performs primary repair of the extensor tendon using core sutures and an epitendinous repair. Postoperative management includes hand immobilization in an extension splint, wound care, pain control, and referral to occupational therapy for a staged rehabilitation program to restore range of motion and prevent adhesions.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
LT | Left side | Use when the repair is performed on the left hand. |
RT | Right side | Use when the repair is performed on the right hand. |