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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesExcision Procedures on the Foot and ToesCPT cpt-28070-intertarsal-tarsometatarsal-synovectomy
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    CPT 28070: Synovectomy, Intertarsal or Tarsometatarsal Joint

    Medicare pays $536 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 28070 describes a synovectomy of the intertarsal or tarsometatarsal joint, a surgical procedure to remove inflamed or diseased synovium from joints between the tarsal bones or between the tarsal and metatarsal bones of the foot; service type: surgical synovectomy, typical site of service: ambulatory surgical center or hospital operating room.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement), Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing), Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty).

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    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 7

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 52-year-old patient presents to a podiatric orthopedic clinic with several months of progressive dorsal midfoot pain, swelling, and limited range of motion localized to the tarsometatarsal and intertarsal joints. Conservative care including activity modification, NSAIDs, immobilization, and image-guided corticosteroid injection provided only temporary relief. Weight-bearing radiographs and MRI demonstrate synovial proliferation and chronic inflammatory change within a tarsometatarsal joint with associated focal pain and mechanical symptoms. The patient is scheduled for operative synovectomy of the affected intertarsal/tarsometatarsal joint to excise inflamed synovium, alleviate pain, and improve joint function.

    The clinical workflow includes preoperative evaluation by the surgeon (history, focused exam, imaging review), informed consent documenting goals and risks, preoperative anesthesia assessment, intraoperative synovectomy performed under regional or general anesthesia with proper sterile technique, specimen handling if synovium is sent for pathology, perioperative monitoring, and postoperative instructions for wound care, activity restrictions, and follow-up visits for suture removal and rehabilitation as indicated.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    28126Excision of lesion, calcaneus; simpleMay be performed if concomitant heel lesion or bursa excision is required during the same operative episode
    28285Arthrodesis, interphalangeal joint, toe; simplePerformed in cases where synovectomy does not resolve instability or arthritic pain and fusion of a small midfoot joint is later required
    29895Arthroscopy, ankle, surgical; with removal of loose body, or debridement (Note: arthroscopy codes are ankle-specific)May be used when arthroscopic-assisted synovectomy or intra-articular diagnostic arthroscopy of adjacent joints is performed prior to open synovectomy
    28170Excision, soft tissue tumor, foot and ankle; single lesion, subcutaneousUsed when an associated soft tissue mass or synovial cyst is excised along with synovectomy
    99024Postoperative follow-up visit, global period reportingUsed for reporting postoperative visits during the global period following the procedure

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207P00000XEmergency Medicine PhysicianAn emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    208D00000XGeneral Practice PhysicianA physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    2080T0002XPediatric Medical Toxicology PhysicianMedical toxicologists are physicians that specialize in the prevention, evaluation, treatment and monitoring of injury and illness from exposures to d…
    273R00000XPsychiatric Hospital UnitIn general, a distinct unit of a hospital that provides acute or long-term care to emotionally disturbed patients, including patients admitted for dia…
    1835C0205XCritical Care PharmacistA licensed pharmacist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill in the delivery of patient care services by pharmacists, as integral member…
    261QR0800XRecovery Care Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    16 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    I83.90Asymptomatic varicose veins of unspecified lower extremity
    L94.2Calcinosis cutis
    M05.871Other rheumatoid arthritis with rheumatoid factor of right ankle and foot
    M06.871Other specified rheumatoid arthritis, right ankle and foot
    M08.871Other juvenile arthritis, right ankle and foot
    M12.571Traumatic arthropathy, right ankle and foot
    M12.572Traumatic arthropathy, left ankle and foot
    M12.579Traumatic arthropathy, unspecified ankle and foot
    M24.271Disorder of ligament, right ankle
    M24.272Disorder of ligament, left ankle

    Showing 1–10 of 16

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 3

    7 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Resurfacinguniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Fusion (arthrodesis) with decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Osteochondral Grafting of the Kneeuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Sacroiliac Joint Fusion or Stabilizationuniverahealthcare2026-10-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-28039-FOOT-TOE-SOFT-TISSUE-MASS-EXCISION-1-5CM-OR-GREATER

    CPT 28039: Excision of Soft Tissue Mass, Foot or Toe (≥1.5 cm)

    CPT-28041-FOOT-TOE-INTRINSIC-MUSCLE-MASS-EXCISION-15CM-OR-GREATER

    CPT 28041: Excision of Intrinsic Foot/Toe Muscle Mass, ≥1.5 cm

    CPT-28043-FOOT-TOE-SUBCUTANEOUS-MASS-EXCISION

    CPT 28043: Excision of Subcutaneous Foot/Toe Mass (<1.5 cm)

    CPT-28045-FOOT-TOE-SOFT-TISSUE-MASS-EXCISION

    CPT 28045: Excision of Intrinsic Foot/Toe Muscle Mass, <1.5 cm

    CPT-28046-EXTENSIVE-EXCISION-FOOT-TOE-SOFT-TISSUE-TUMOR

    CPT 28046: Extensive Excision of Soft-Tissue Tumor of Foot or Toe, <3 cm

    CPT-28047-EXTENSIVE-SOFT-TISSUE-TUMOR-EXCISION-FOOT-TOE-3CM-OR-MORE

    CPT 28047: Extensive Excision of Foot/Toe Soft Tissue Tumor ≥3 cm

    CPT-28050-FOOT-JOINT-EXPLORATION-SOFT-TISSUE-BIOPSY

    CPT 28050: Open Foot Joint Biopsy of Soft Tissue

    CPT-28052-METATARSOPHALANGEAL-JOINT-SOFT-TISSUE-BIOPSY

    CPT 28052: Open Biopsy of Metatarsophalangeal Joint Soft Tissue

    CPT-28054-DIGITAL-JOINT-BIOPSY-TOE-FINGER

    CPT 28054: Incision for Toe or Finger Joint Biopsy

    CPT-28055-BURSAL-EXCISION-WITH-NERVE-DISSECTION-NEURECTOMY

    CPT 28055: Bursal Debridement with Neurectomy, Upper Ankle/Foot

    Showing 1–10 of 45

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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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