Summary & Overview
CPT 73590: Two-View X-Ray of Tibia and Fibula, Lower Leg
CPT code 73590 represents a two‑view radiographic study of the tibia and fibula used to assess fractures, swelling, or pain in the lower leg. This imaging code is a fundamental diagnostic service in emergency, urgent care, and outpatient settings and factors into clinical decision‑making for suspected lower‑extremity trauma. Nationally, plain radiography remains a common and cost‑effective first‑line modality for bony injury assessment, making accurate coding for 73590 important for clinical documentation, utilization tracking, and payment integrity.
Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise review of the code’s clinical context, typical sites of service, and common billing considerations. The publication also presents benchmarking elements and policy context relevant to imaging utilization, including standard service definitions, common modifiers (listed separately), and potential documentation expectations. Clinical considerations cover when two‑view tibia/fibula radiographs are typically ordered and how they fit into the diagnostic pathway for lower‑leg injury.
This summary is intended for national audiences including billing professionals, radiology departments, compliance officers, and clinical leaders seeking a clear reference for CPT code 73590 and its role in lower‑extremity diagnostic imaging.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 73590 describes radiographic imaging of the lower leg with two views of the tibia and fibula. The procedure is used to evaluate fracture, swelling, or causes of pain in the lower leg by obtaining orthogonal X‑ray projections that visualize the tibia and fibula bones.
Service type: Diagnostic radiology — plain radiographs (2 views) of the tibia and fibula
Typical site of service: Hospital radiology department, outpatient imaging center, or emergency department
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 28-year-old male presents to the emergency department after twisting his lower leg during a recreational soccer game. He reports localized pain, swelling, and inability to bear weight on the affected leg. Physical exam shows tenderness along the midshaft of the tibia and minimal deformity. The treating clinician orders radiographic imaging to evaluate for fracture of the tibia and fibula. In the radiology suite or emergency department imaging area, a radiologic technologist performs the diagnostic exam using 73590 — two-view radiographs of the tibia and fibula (typically anteroposterior and lateral). Images are reviewed by a radiologist who documents findings (e.g., nondisplaced tibial shaft fracture vs. soft-tissue swelling). Results are communicated to the ED clinician for treatment planning (e.g., splinting, orthopedic referral). Typical sites of service include the emergency department, urgent care center, and outpatient radiology/imaging centers.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the interpreting physician's service separate from technical imaging component. |
TC |