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CPT 28011: Percutaneous Tenotomy of Multiple Tendons for Hammer Toe

CPT code 28011 denotes a percutaneous tenotomy in which multiple tendons of a toe are incised or divided through a small skin incision to correct deformities such as hammer toe. As a targeted, minimally invasive soft-tissue procedure on the foot, this code is relevant to podiatry, orthopedic foot and ankle surgery, and outpatient surgical services nationally. Its use affects surgical coding, reimbursement for minor foot procedures, and billing practices across payers that cover ambulatory surgical and office-based procedures.

Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise synthesis of clinical context, typical sites of service, and the practical implications for coding and billing workflows. The publication outlines common billing considerations, how this procedure is categorized within surgical service lines, and what benchmarks and policy topics typically influence coverage and payment for percutaneous tenotomy procedures.

The content provides an executive overview for clinical administrators, coding professionals, and policy analysts seeking a clear reference on CPT code 28011, focusing on how the procedure is described and where it is typically performed. Data not available in the input.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 28011 describes a percutaneous tenotomy of multiple tendons in a toe, performed through a small skin incision to correct deformities such as hammer toe. The procedure involves incising or dividing multiple tendons to release contractures and restore more normal toe alignment.

Service type: Surgical, minor soft-tissue procedure on the foot
Typical site of service: Outpatient surgical suite, ambulatory surgery center, or office-based procedure room

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CPT 28011: Percutaneous Tenotomy of Multiple Tendons for Hammer Toe

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Surgical, minor soft-tissue procedure on the foot
Typical site of service: Outpatient surgical suite, ambulatory surgery center, or office-based procedure room

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult presenting to a podiatry or orthopedic clinic with a painful, fixed or flexible hammer toe deformity of the lesser toes causing dorsal toe pressure, callus formation, ulceration risk, or pain in standard shoe gear. Conservative measures such as shoe modification, padding, orthotics, and steroid injection have been attempted and documented as ineffective or not tolerated. The patient is evaluated in clinic with focused history and physical exam, gait assessment, and weight-bearing forefoot radiographs when indicated to assess bony alignment and rule out arthritic changes.

The procedure, 28011 percutaneous tenotomy of flexor tendons of one or more toes, is typically performed in an ambulatory surgery center or office-based procedure room under local anesthesia with or without sedation. The workflow includes preoperative consent and marking, sterile prep, local infiltration, a small percutaneous incision to divide contracted tendon(s), intraoperative assessment of toe alignment and range of motion, hemostasis, dressing application, and postoperative instructions for wound care and activity restrictions. Follow-up is arranged within 7–14 days for wound check and to monitor correction, pain control, and mobility. Documentation should include indication, conservative treatments tried, informed consent, anesthesia type, tendons released, laterality, number of toes treated, and immediate outcome.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`52`	Reduced services	Use when a percutaneous tenotomy is partially reduced in scope (e.g., limited release vs planned full release).
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use if the procedure is started but halted for patient safety or anesthesia issues.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when an unrelated procedure is performed the same day at a distinct anatomic site.
`LT`	Left side	Use to indicate the left foot/toe(s) when only left side treated.
`RT`	Right side	Use to indicate the right foot/toe(s) when only right side treated.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when both feet/contralateral toes are treated during the same operative session, if payer accepts bilateral modifier application.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Use when the same physician repeats the tenotomy in a separate encounter for the same patient.
`77`	Repeat procedure by another physician	Use when a different physician performs a repeat tenotomy encounter.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than typical (e.g., extensive adhesions, atypical anatomy).
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use if general anesthesia or monitored anesthesia care is required for medical reasons when normally local anesthesia would suffice.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when post-procedure findings require a less comprehensive surgical service than originally planned.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
2080P0206X	Podiatry	Podiatrists commonly perform percutaneous tenotomy for toe deformities.
207X00000X	Orthopedic Surgery	Orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons perform tenotomies as part of reconstructive care.
363L00000X	Family Medicine	Family physicians with procedural training in minor foot surgery may perform office-based tenotomies.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M20.41`	Other hammer toe, right foot	Classic indication for percutaneous tenotomy to correct hammer toe deformity on the right.
`M20.42`	Other hammer toe, left foot	Classic indication for percutaneous tenotomy to correct hammer toe deformity on the left.
`M20.4`	Other hammer toe (unspecified)	General diagnosis used when laterality is not specified; indicates hammer toe deformity amenable to tenotomy.
`L84`	Corns and callosities	Common coexisting condition causing painful dorsal pressure that may prompt tenotomy to relieve deforming pressure.
`M77.9`	Enthesopathy, unspecified	May be used when tendon pathology or insertional pain contributes to toe deformity and symptoms.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`11055`	Paring or cutting of benign hyperkeratotic lesion (e.g., corn or callus); single lesion	Often performed pre- or post-tenotomy to remove painful callus overlying hammer toe.
`11720`	Debridement of nail(s) by any method; partial nail avulsion, single	May be performed concurrently if nail pathology contributes to symptoms or needs treatment.
`28820`	Tenotomy, foot; percutaneous, tendo-Achilles (separate anatomic site)	Example of other percutaneous tendon procedures of the foot that may be performed in the same setting for separate indications.
`28280`	Correction, hammertoe (e.g., hammer, mallet), metatarsophalangeal joint arthroplasty, with or without tendon lengthening/transfer; single toe	Open corrective procedures that may be performed when percutaneous tenotomy is insufficient or deformity requires arthroplasty.
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee); without ultrasound guidance	Relevant for preoperative or diagnostic injections for local pain control or diagnostic differentiation in foot/ankle care.

CPT 28001: Drainage of Infected Bursa of Foot

CPT-28002-BURSAL-INCISION-DRAINAGE-TENDON-COVERING

CPT 28002: Incision and Drainage of Infected Bursa Involving Tendon Covering

CPT-28003-FOOT-BURSAL-DRAINAGE-MULTIPLE-SPACES

CPT 28003: Drainage of Multiple Infected Bursal Spaces Under Foot Fascia

CPT-28005-FOOT-BONE-CORTEX-INCISION-FOR-INFECTION

CPT 28005: Incision of Foot Bone Cortex for Infection

CPT-28008-PLANTAR-FASCIA-RELEASE-TOE-CONTRACTURE-RELEASE

CPT 28008: Plantar Fascia Release and Toe Contracture Release

CPT-28010-PERCUTANEOUS-TENOTOMY-TOE-HAMMER-TOE-CORRECTION

CPT 28010: Percutaneous Tenotomy for Toe Deformity

CPT-28020-FOOT-ANKLE-JOINT-INCISION-DRAINAGE

CPT 28020: Incision and Drainage of Foot or Ankle Joint

CPT-28022-TOE-FOREFOOT-JOINT-INCISION-DRAINAGE

CPT 28022: Incision and Drainage of Toe/Forefoot Joint

CPT-28024-TOE-JOINT-INCISION-DRAINAGE

CPT 28024: Incision and Drainage of Toe Joint

CPT-28035-TARSAL-TUNNEL-RELEASE-POSTERIOR-TIBIAL-NERVE-DECOMPRESSION

CPT 28035: Tarsal Tunnel Release, Posterior Tibial Nerve Decompression

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
`52`	Reduced services	Use when a percutaneous tenotomy is partially reduced in scope (e.g., limited release vs planned full release).
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use if the procedure is started but halted for patient safety or anesthesia issues.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when an unrelated procedure is performed the same day at a distinct anatomic site.
`LT`	Left side	Use to indicate the left foot/toe(s) when only left side treated.
`RT`	Right side	Use to indicate the right foot/toe(s) when only right side treated.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when both feet/contralateral toes are treated during the same operative session, if payer accepts bilateral modifier application.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Use when the same physician repeats the tenotomy in a separate encounter for the same patient.
`77`	Repeat procedure by another physician	Use when a different physician performs a repeat tenotomy encounter.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than typical (e.g., extensive adhesions, atypical anatomy).
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use if general anesthesia or monitored anesthesia care is required for medical reasons when normally local anesthesia would suffice.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when post-procedure findings require a less comprehensive surgical service than originally planned.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
2080P0206X	Podiatry	Podiatrists commonly perform percutaneous tenotomy for toe deformities.
207X00000X	Orthopedic Surgery	Orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons perform tenotomies as part of reconstructive care.
363L00000X	Family Medicine	Family physicians with procedural training in minor foot surgery may perform office-based tenotomies.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M20.41`	Other hammer toe, right foot	Classic indication for percutaneous tenotomy to correct hammer toe deformity on the right.
`M20.42`	Other hammer toe, left foot	Classic indication for percutaneous tenotomy to correct hammer toe deformity on the left.
`M20.4`	Other hammer toe (unspecified)	General diagnosis used when laterality is not specified; indicates hammer toe deformity amenable to tenotomy.
`L84`	Corns and callosities	Common coexisting condition causing painful dorsal pressure that may prompt tenotomy to relieve deforming pressure.
`M77.9`	Enthesopathy, unspecified	May be used when tendon pathology or insertional pain contributes to toe deformity and symptoms.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`11055`	Paring or cutting of benign hyperkeratotic lesion (e.g., corn or callus); single lesion	Often performed pre- or post-tenotomy to remove painful callus overlying hammer toe.
`11720`	Debridement of nail(s) by any method; partial nail avulsion, single	May be performed concurrently if nail pathology contributes to symptoms or needs treatment.
`28820`	Tenotomy, foot; percutaneous, tendo-Achilles (separate anatomic site)	Example of other percutaneous tendon procedures of the foot that may be performed in the same setting for separate indications.
`28280`	Correction, hammertoe (e.g., hammer, mallet), metatarsophalangeal joint arthroplasty, with or without tendon lengthening/transfer; single toe	Open corrective procedures that may be performed when percutaneous tenotomy is insufficient or deformity requires arthroplasty.
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee); without ultrasound guidance	Relevant for preoperative or diagnostic injections for local pain control or diagnostic differentiation in foot/ankle care.

CPT 28001: Drainage of Infected Bursa of Foot

CPT-28002-BURSAL-INCISION-DRAINAGE-TENDON-COVERING

CPT 28002: Incision and Drainage of Infected Bursa Involving Tendon Covering

CPT-28003-FOOT-BURSAL-DRAINAGE-MULTIPLE-SPACES

CPT 28003: Drainage of Multiple Infected Bursal Spaces Under Foot Fascia

CPT-28005-FOOT-BONE-CORTEX-INCISION-FOR-INFECTION

CPT 28005: Incision of Foot Bone Cortex for Infection

CPT-28008-PLANTAR-FASCIA-RELEASE-TOE-CONTRACTURE-RELEASE

CPT 28008: Plantar Fascia Release and Toe Contracture Release

CPT-28010-PERCUTANEOUS-TENOTOMY-TOE-HAMMER-TOE-CORRECTION

CPT 28010: Percutaneous Tenotomy for Toe Deformity

CPT-28020-FOOT-ANKLE-JOINT-INCISION-DRAINAGE

CPT 28020: Incision and Drainage of Foot or Ankle Joint

CPT-28022-TOE-FOREFOOT-JOINT-INCISION-DRAINAGE

CPT 28022: Incision and Drainage of Toe/Forefoot Joint

CPT-28024-TOE-JOINT-INCISION-DRAINAGE

CPT 28024: Incision and Drainage of Toe Joint

CPT-28035-TARSAL-TUNNEL-RELEASE-POSTERIOR-TIBIAL-NERVE-DECOMPRESSION

CPT 28035: Tarsal Tunnel Release, Posterior Tibial Nerve Decompression

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 28011: Percutaneous Tenotomy of Multiple Tendons for Hammer Toe

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Billing Code Overview

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CPT 28011: Percutaneous Tenotomy of Multiple Tendons for Hammer Toe

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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