The following article is written by Stephanie Ellis, RN, CPC, president of Ellis Medical Consulting.
Total disc arthroplasty procedures are performed to replace discs which are damaged or diseased, usually caused by degenerative disc disease. These procedures are performed through an anterior approach, which is more complicated for lumbar procedures, in which a general surgeon may be needed to move the abdominal organs out of the way safely for the spinal surgeon to perform the procedure.
Use CPT 22856 for a total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, including discectomy with end plate preparation (includes osteophytectomy for nerve root or spinal cord decompression and microdissection), single interspace, cervical.
Use CPT 22857 for a total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, including discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression), single interspace, lumbar.
Use CPT 22861 for the revision including replacement of total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, single interspace; cervical.
Use CPT 22862 for the revision including replacement of total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, single interspace; lumbar.
Use CPT 22864 for the removal of total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, single interspace; cervical.
Use CPT 22865 for the Removal of total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, single interspace; lumbar.
Learn more about Ellis Medical Consulting.
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