Summary & Overview
CPT 26440: Tenolysis of Flexor Tendon, Palm or Finger
CPT code 26440 represents tenolysis of a flexor tendon in the palm or a single finger—a focused hand surgery to release adhesions and restore tendon mobility. This code matters nationally because it captures a functional-restorative surgical service with implications for surgical scheduling, reimbursement for specialty hand surgeons, and utilization of ambulatory surgery centers and hospital operating rooms.
Key payers in national analyses include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for tenolysis, typical sites of service, and which payers commonly adjudicate claims for this procedure. The publication summarizes reimbursement benchmarks where available, common billing considerations, and relevant policy or coverage trends that affect access and payment for hand-surgery tenolysis. It also highlights coding boundaries—this code is limited to the palm or a single finger—and practical implications for claim lines and operative reporting.
Where input data is incomplete, the report flags missing elements for clarity. The material is intended for national audiences including billing managers, surgical practices, and payers seeking a concise reference on CPT code 26440.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 26440 describes tenolysis of the flexor tendon of the palm or finger, a surgical procedure to release a flexor tendon from adhesions. The procedure is limited to either the palm or a single finger and is performed to restore tendon glide and improve digital function when scar tissue restricts movement.
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Service type: Surgical procedure (hand surgery)
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Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or inpatient/outpatient operating room, depending on clinical complexity and patient factors.
Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult who presents with persistent finger or palmar stiffness, pain, and loss of active flexion after a prior flexor tendon repair or prolonged immobilization. The patient often reports difficulty straightening the finger(s) or making a full fist despite conservative management such as therapy and splinting. Examination demonstrates limited glide of a flexor tendon with suspected adhesions. Imaging is limited but may include hand radiographs to assess bony alignment; ultrasound or MRI can be used selectively to evaluate soft-tissue adhesions. After failing nonoperative measures, the hand surgeon schedules operative tenolysis of the flexor tendon of the palm or finger to release adhesions and restore tendon glide.
The clinical workflow typically includes preoperative evaluation by a hand surgeon (medical history, focused hand exam, informed consent), preoperative anesthesia assessment, operating room procedure where tenolysis of the involved tendon in the palm or finger is performed under regional or general anesthesia, intraoperative documentation of tendon release and improvement in passive and active motion, and immediate postoperative hand therapy and wound care instructions. CPT 26440 is billed for the surgical release limited to either the palm or a single finger when adhesions are lysed to restore flexor tendon function.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 |