CPT code 22551 refers to a type of surgery that helps treat certain issues in the neck by removing and fusing a part of the spine.
Procedure Explanation:
This surgery involves joining together two or more bones in the upper part of the spine located in the neck area. To do this, doctors first clean out the space between the bones, remove any damaged disc material, and may take away growths, called bone spurs, that can cause pain by putting pressure on nerves. However, this procedure does not include operations on other parts of the spine outside the neck, or additional steps like inserting hardware to stabilize the spine.
Common Names:
- Anterior Cervical Fusion
- ACDF Surgery
- Cervical Interbody Fusion
Relative Value Units (RVU):
The RVUs associated with this code are 25.0.
How This Procedure Appears:
- Operating Room Schedule Name: Anterior Cervical Fusion
- Surgical Consent Form Name: Anterior Cervical Spinal Fusion Procedure
Typical Patients and Diagnoses:
This procedure is most often used for patients experiencing chronic neck pain or discomfort due to issues like a slipped disc or growths pressing on nerves in the neck. For instance, someone who has felt persistent neck pain that radiates down their arms might be a candidate for this surgery.
Associated ICD-10 Codes:
- M50.20: Cervical disc disorder at an unspecified level, which can cause neck pain and discomfort.
- M47.22: Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, cervical region, referring to degeneration in the neck that affects nerve roots.
- M54.2: Cervicalgia, which is a medical term for neck pain.
Summary
In summary, code 22551 describes a procedure to fuse vertebrae in the neck to alleviate pain caused by pressure on spinal nerves. Typical ICD-10 codes associated with 22551 include M50.20 (disc disorder causing neck pain) and M47.22 (degeneration affecting neck nerves).
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.