Sarah, a 24-year-old female, was walking her dog this morning, and when she wasn't paying attention, she tripped and fell over the curb. The patient states that she fell to the ground using her right hand and arm to brace herself. She states that she heard a "crunch"; the resultant x-ray indicated a compound fracture to the ulna of her right arm. With the patient under general anesthesia, the area was opened and irrigated. The shaft of the ulna was fractured and had to be repaired using screws to hold it into place. The surrounding tissue was repaired, irrigated, and closed in a usual manner. Select the correct CPT code for the repair of the ulna:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct CPT code for the repair of a fractured ulna with the use of screws (indicating an open reduction with internal fixation) is 25545. This code is specific for open treatment of ulnar shaft fracture, with or without internal or external fixation.

Sarah, a 24-Year-Old Female, Was Walking Her Dog This Morning