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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesEndoscopy/Arthroscopy Procedures on the Musculoskeletal SystemCPT cpt-29897-ankle-arthroscopy-debridement-tibiotalar-fibulotalar
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    CPT 29897: Ankle Arthroscopy, Synovectomy and Debridement

    Medicare pays $475 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 29897 describes arthroscopic visualization and treatment of the tibiotalar and fibulotalar joints of the ankle to inspect and repair the synovial membrane and to trim damaged tissue (synovectomy and debridement); service type: operative arthroscopy for synovial and soft-tissue debridement; typical site of service: ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient surgical department.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 45-year-old recreational runner presents with several months of anterior ankle pain, swelling, and mechanical catching that limit activity. Physical exam demonstrates focal joint line tenderness at the tibiotalar joint and reduced dorsiflexion. Radiographs are inconclusive; MRI shows synovial hypertrophy and focal chondral flaps in the ankle joint. The orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon schedules an arthroscopic ankle synovectomy and debridement to inspect the tibiotalar and fibulotalar joints, remove inflamed synovium, trim unstable chondral tissue, and improve range of motion and pain.

    Preoperative workflow includes history and physical, informed consent documenting risks/benefits and alternatives, review of imaging, pre-op anesthesia evaluation, and verification of laterality. The procedure is performed in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital OR using regional or general anesthesia. Intraoperatively the surgeon performs diagnostic arthroscopy of the ankle, identifies synovitis and chondral pathology, performs synovial debridement and mechanical trimming (shaving) of damaged tissue, achieves hemostasis, and closes portals. Postoperative workflow includes PACU recovery, standardized discharge instructions, and planned short-term immobilization followed by physical therapy.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    29125Aspiration of ankle joint, diagnostic or therapeutic (separate procedure)May be performed preoperatively in clinic for diagnostic/therapeutic relief prior to arthroscopy.
    29895Arthroscopy, ankle, surgical; synovectomy, limitedClosely related arthroscopic synovectomy codes; 29897 describes debridement and trimming of damaged tissue within the ankle joint and may be reported when appropriate based on extent of work.
    20670Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa (e.g., ankle)Used for intra-articular injections or aspirations performed in conjunction with diagnostic evaluation or postoperative management.
    99024Postoperative follow-up visit global period, routine postoperative careRepresents routine postoperative care visits within the global period for surgical procedures.
    66984Data not available in the input.Data not available in the input.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    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…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    171400000XHealth & Wellness CoachThe Health & Wellness Coach is trained in motivational theories, strategies, and communication techniques, which are used to assist patients to develo…
    2080T0004XPediatric Transplant Hepatology PhysicianA pediatrician with expertise in transplant hepatology encompasses the special knowledge and skill required of pediatric gastroenterologists to care f…
    261QM0855XAdolescent and Children Mental Health Clinic/CenterAn entity, facility, or distinct part of a facility providing diagnostic, treatment, and prescriptive services related to mental and behavioral disord…
    103TH0004XHealth PsychologistA psychologist who specializes in clinical health psychology that investigates and implements clinical services across diverse populations and setting…
    106E00000XAssistant Behavior AnalystAn assistant behavior analyst is qualified by Behavior Analyst Certification Board certification and/or a state-issued license or credential in behavi…
    3336H0001XHome Infusion Therapy PharmacyPharmacy-based, decentralized patient care organization with expertise in USP 797-compliant sterile drug compounding that provides care to patients wi…
    261QR0405XSubstance Use Disorder Rehabilitation Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    2472B0301XBiomedical Engineering TechnicianNone

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    25 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    G57.81Other specified mononeuropathies of right lower limb
    M19.071Primary osteoarthritis, right ankle and foot
    M19.072Primary osteoarthritis, left ankle and foot
    M23.221Derangement of posterior horn of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury, right knee
    M23.222Derangement of posterior horn of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury, left knee
    M24.271Disorder of ligament, right ankle
    M24.272Disorder of ligament, left ankle
    M25.571Pain in right ankle and joints of right foot
    M25.572Pain in left ankle and joints of left foot
    M25.671Stiffness of right ankle, not elsewhere classified

    Showing 1–10 of 25

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    9 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Elective Inpatient Services (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-06-01
    Sites of Servicepriority health2026-06-01
    Coverage for Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU)/Outpatient Facility and Anesthesia for Dental Servicesuniverahealthcare2026-05-21
    Mm_0579_Coveragepositioncriteria_Anesthesia_Services_Selected_Nerve_BlocksCigna2026-05-15
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-29800-TMJ-ARTHROSCOPY-DIAGNOSTIC-BIOPSY

    CPT 29800: Temporomandibular Joint Arthroscopy, Diagnostic

    CPT-29804-TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT-ARTHROSCOPY-TMJ-REPAIR

    CPT 29804: Temporomandibular Joint Arthroscopy

    CPT-29805-SHOULDER-ARTHROSCOPY-WITH-SYNOVIAL-BIOPSY

    CPT 29805: Diagnostic Shoulder Arthroscopy with Synovial Biopsy

    CPT-29806-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-CAPSULE-REPAIR

    CPT 29806: Arthroscopy, Shoulder, Repair of Capsular Tear

    CPT-29807-ARTHROSCOPIC-SLAP-LESION-REPAIR-SHOULDER

    CPT 29807: Arthroscopic Repair of SLAP Lesion in Shoulder

    CPT-29819-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-LOOSE-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL

    CPT 29819: Arthroscopic Removal of Loose or Foreign Bodies, Shoulder

    CPT-29820-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-SYNOVECTOMY

    CPT 29820: Arthroscopic Synovectomy of Shoulder

    CPT-29821-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-SYNOVECTOMY

    CPT 29821: Arthroscopic Complete Synovectomy of Shoulder

    CPT-29822-SHOULDER-ARTHROSCOPY-LIMITED-DEBRIDEMENT

    CPT 29822: Arthroscopy, Shoulder, Limited Debridement

    CPT-29823-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-DEBRIDEMENT-EXTENSIVE-TISSUE-EXCISION

    CPT 29823: Arthroscopic Shoulder Extensive Excision/Debridement

    Showing 1–10 of 75

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    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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