Summary & Overview
CPT 28220: Release of Adhesions, Single Flexor Tendon in Foot
CPT code 28220 represents a surgical release of adhesions affecting a single flexor tendon in the foot. This procedure is performed to restore tendon movement and relieve pain from tendonitis that limits function. Nationally, the code is relevant for surgical management of foot tendon disorders and factors into surgical case mix, facility utilization, and payer coverage policies for elective and medically necessary foot procedures.
Key payers included in the analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find clinical context for when this procedure is used, typical sites of service (ambulatory surgical center and hospital operating room), and an overview of common modifiers associated with surgical billing. The publication outlines benchmark considerations for reimbursement and claims processing, summarizes relevant policy and coverage themes, and clarifies documentation elements that support medical necessity.
This report is written for a national audience and provides a concise reference for clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts seeking an authoritative summary of CPT code 28220, its clinical indications, and the payer landscape that affects surgical foot tendon adhesion releases.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 28220 describes a surgical procedure to remove adhesions affecting a single flexor tendon in the foot. The operation releases tethered tissue to restore tendon gliding, improve range of motion, and reduce pain associated with tendonitis.
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Service type: Surgical tendon adhesion release of a single flexor tendon in the foot
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Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital operating room
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 52-year-old patient presents with chronic medial plantar pain and restricted toe flexion after prior foot trauma and a period of conservative care including rest, orthotics, and physiotherapy. Examination reveals tenderness along a single flexor tendon of the foot with palpable adhesions and limited active range of motion. Imaging (ultrasound or MRI) confirms tenosynovial scarring and impingement of the flexor tendon without evidence of fracture or systemic inflammatory disease. The surgical team schedules an outpatient operative procedure to perform open tenolysis and adhesiolysis of the affected single flexor tendon to restore gliding, reduce pain, and improve function. Typical workflow: preoperative evaluation in ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department, regional or general anesthesia, sterile operative field on the foot, surgical release of adhesions around the single flexor tendon, intraoperative assessment of tendon glide, wound closure and dressing, brief post-anesthesia recovery, discharge with instructions for wound care, analgesia, and progressive range-of-motion rehabilitation. Usual site of service is an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department for same-day discharge.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
LT | Left side | For procedures performed on the left foot |