CPT code 11044 refers to a medical procedure that involves cleaning out dead or infected tissue from bone in order to aid in healing. CPT 11044 represents “Debridement, bone (includes epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and/or fascia, if performed); first 20 sq cm or less.”
Procedure Explanation:
This procedure involves removing damaged or dead tissue from a bone. During this process, if necessary, the doctor may also clean away skin, tissue under the skin, muscle, or connective tissue. However, the focus is primarily on treating the bone itself. The work done covers up to 20 square centimeters, which is a fairly small area, roughly the size of a post-it note.
Common Names:
- Bone Debridement
- Surgical Cleaning of Bone
- 11044 Procedure
Relative Value Units (RVU):
The RVUs associated with this code are 4.1.
How This Procedure Appears:
- Operating Room Schedule Name: Bone Debridement
- Surgical Consent Form Name: Surgical Cleaning of Bone Tissue
Typical Patients and Diagnoses:
This procedure is often performed on patients with significant injuries, infections, or conditions that affect the bones. For example, someone with a deep wound where an infection has spread to the bone might need this procedure. It is also useful for people dealing with chronic wounds that refuse to heal properly, and these can be caused by conditions like diabetes.
Associated ICD-10 Codes:
- M86.611: This code is used for chronic osteomyelitis, a long-lasting bone infection, in the right shoulder.
- M87.051: This represents idiopathic aseptic necrosis, where bone tissue dies because of a loss of blood supply, affecting the right shoulder.
- L97.212: This code describes a non-healing ulcer in the middle part of the right leg.
Summary
In summary, code 11044 describes the surgical cleaning of bone to remove dead or infected tissue, sometimes accompanied by removal of surrounding tissue types. Typical ICD-10 codes associated with 11044 include M86.611 (chronic bone infection) and M87.051 (bone tissue death from lack of blood supply).
Disclaimer
This post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. “CPT” and CPT Codes are registered trademarks of the American Medical Association. HCPCS codes are managed by Medicare and are not subject to copyright.