The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM G56. 20 became effective on October 1, 2021.
Ulnar nerve decompression is surgical procedure designed to explore the region around the elbow through which the ulnar nerve passes. The ulnar nerve is responsible for the “funny bone” phenomenon when you hit your elbow.
Ulnar nerve release, also called cubital tunnel release surgery is used to correct ulnar nerve compression (cubital tunnel syndrome).
Cubital tunnel release is a surgical procedure that involves ulnar nerve decompression, and for some, a transposition of the nerve as well: During the procedure, a 3-inch incision is made along the course of the ulnar nerve, and the roof of the cubital tunnel is opened to relieve pressure on the nerve.
64718CPT code 64718 is used to describe Transposition and/or neuroplasty of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. This code is used commonly to report simple decompression of the ulnar nerve, such as anterior transposition or subcutaneous transposition.
What is Nerve Decompression? This procedure relies on surgically releasing the tight fascia, muscle, tendon, and sometimes bone that are compressing the nerve and cutting out the scar tissue around it. The goal is to provide space for the nerve, giving it a chance to regenerate its outer myelin sheath.
Utilizing a small incision, in situ decompression is the basic operation that unroofs the cubital tunnel and removes the most common sites of compression – the transverse humeral ligament (Osborne's Ligament) and the tendinous decussation of the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed by billing system query using Common Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for all patients who underwent open carpal tunnel release (CTR) (CPT code 64721) and/or open cubital tunnel surgery (CPT code 64718) by 1 of 4 hand surgeons from August 2008 to July 2013.
Cubital tunnel syndrome happens when the ulnar nerve, which passes through the cubital tunnel (a tunnel of muscle, ligament, and bone) on the inside of the elbow, is injured and becomes inflamed, swollen, and irritated.
At the elbow, the ulnar nerve travels through a tunnel of tissue (the cubital tunnel) that runs under a bump of bone at the inside of your elbow. This bony bump is called the medial epicondyle.
Ulnar nerve release surgery is a procedure for cubital tunnel syndrome – also known as ulnar nerve entrapment. Cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition in which nearby tissue puts pressure on the nerve inside the cubital tunnel, a narrow space through which the ulnar nerve passes around the elbow.
Guyon's Canal Release and Carpal Tunnel Release The ulnar nerve is decompressed in the wrist through Guyon's canal and in the hand, specifically the deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve. This deep motor branch is released by dividing the tendious arch of the hypothenar muscles.