Summary & Overview
CPT 29105: Upper and Lower Arm Splint Application
CPT code 29105 represents the application of a rigid or flexible splint to the upper and lower arm to immobilize an injured arm for pain control or to stabilize a fracture before surgical repair. This relatively common acute-care procedure is performed in emergency departments and orthopaedic clinics nationwide and is an important component of early fracture management and trauma care.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, United Healthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for the code, comparisons to related short-arm and finger splinting codes, and guidance on where the service is typically provided. The publication summarizes billing considerations relevant to outpatient and emergency settings and highlights common clinical scenarios that map to this code, including shaft and distal fractures of the humerus, radius, and ulna.
The piece provides national-level benchmarks and policy context where available, explains how 29105 fits into acute orthopaedic workflows, and identifies typical sites of service. Data not available in the input are explicitly noted as such.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 29105 describes the application of a splint, rigid or flexible, to the upper and lower arm to immobilize an injured arm. The service is performed to reduce pain during healing or to stabilize a fracture prior to surgical repair.
Service type: Splint application / immobilization
Typical site of service: Emergency department or outpatient orthopaedic clinic, where acute fractures or traumatic arm injuries are evaluated and an initial immobilization is required prior to definitive treatment.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 34-year-old male presents to the emergency department after a fall from a ladder onto his right arm. The patient reports immediate pain, swelling, and limited range of motion. Physical exam demonstrates deformity and tenderness along the mid-humeral shaft and distal forearm. Neurovascular status is intact. Plain radiographs confirm an acute closed fracture of the right humeral shaft and an acute closed distal radius fracture. The attending emergency medicine physician applies a temporary rigid long-arm splint extending from the axilla to the hand to immobilize the upper and lower arm for pain control and to stabilize the fractures prior to definitive orthopedic evaluation and possible surgical fixation. The splint is molded, padded, and secured; neurovascular checks are documented pre- and post-application. The encounter is coded with 29105 for application of a rigid or flexible splint to immobilize the injured arm, and the visit includes documentation of the indication (fracture), consent, splint type, laterality, time spent, and follow-up plan with orthopedic surgery.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
RT | Right side | Use when the procedure is performed on the right arm. |
LT |