CPT Coding for Spine Surgery Series

Flashcards on Arthrodesis and Grafting Codes

Arthrodesis

To bind a joint; in this course, it focuses on how it applies to the spine.

Spinal Fusion

Performed to permanently connect two or more vertebrae in the spine, eliminating motion between them.

Spinal Weakness

Abnormal or excessive motion between two vertebrae.

Spinal Stenosis

Narrowing of bony openings within the spine, reducing space for the nerves.

Herniated Disc Treatment (Spinal Fusion)

Stabilizes the spine after removal of a damaged or herniated disc.

Spine Deformities Treatment

Helps correct spinal deformities such as scoliosis.

Graft Material

Bone or bone-like material placed between vertebrae to fuse the spine.

Instrumentation (Spine Surgery)

Serve to stabilize the spine until the graft hardens and the fusion is complete.

Add-on Graft Codes

Grafts that cannot be reported without an appropriate primary procedure.

Allograft

Works as a bridge that allows natural bone to grow through its surface, eventually replacing the donor bone.

Autograft

Bone taken from the patient's own body.

Bone Marrow Aspirate

Obtained through a separate incision, usually from sites like the sternum, tibia, or iliac crest.

Vertebral Count

Seven cervical, 12 thoracic, and five lumbar vertebrae.

Spinous Process

Bony projection of the posterior back of each vertebra.

Lamina

Flattened or arched part of the vertebral arch forming the roof of the spinal canal.

Single-Level Fusion

Two vertebrae and the interspace between them.

Prone

Lying on your tummy.

Supine

Lying on your back.

Lateral Extra Cavitary Approach

Strictly used for the thoracic and lumbar spine.

Anterior Approach to Cervical Spine Below C2

Incision is made through the neck, with care taken to avoid the esophagus, pharynx, or esophageal nerve.

Interbody Spine Fusion

Bone graft and/or interbody device is placed between the vertebral bodies where the disc usually lies.

CPT 22551

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

CPT 22556 and 22558

Anterior interbody arthrodesis codes for the other spinal regions, thoracic and lumbar.

ALIF

Arthrodesis anterior interbody technique for the lumbar spine.

CPT 22586

A lumbar arthrodesis performed on the L5-S1 interspace using a presacral interbody technique.

Presacral Interbody Technique

Uses a minimally invasive percutaneous approach to the anterior portion of the disc space.

Procedure code 22595

Procedure code 22595 is specific to the atlas or C1 and the axis or C2

posterior or posterolateral technique

When the code description states posterior or posterolateral technique, it means it's appropriate to use when either technique is used, or if both techniques are used in the same session.

Posterolateral Fusion

The graft to form the bony bridge is placed alongside, or lateral, to the vertebra.

Lateral Transverse Technique

Graft to form bony bridge can be placed specifically between the transverse processes.

22630, and one add on code, 22632

Is sometimes referred to by its acronym PLIF.

Interbody Spine Fusion

Is placed in between the vertebral bodies, where the disc usually lies.

Multiple Spinal Fusions Add on Codes

Each additional interspace

Additional interspaces add on codes

Procedures can cross multiple interspaces