icd 9 code for posterior lumbar interbody fusion

Full Answer

What is the CPT code for posterior lumbar fusion?

Code 22630 describes a posterior lumbar interbody arthrodesis, also known as fusion. Code 22633 describes a posterior lumbar interbody fusion and a posterolateral fusion performed at the same interspace and segment (also called spinal level, such as L4-L5).

What is the ICD 9 code for fusion of the spine?

Fusion of spine (vertebra), congenital Short description: Congen fusion of spine. ICD-9-CM 756.15 is a billable medical code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim, however, 756.15 should only be used for claims with a date of service on or before September 30, 2015.

What is the CPT code for L4 L5 fusion?

The codes for the anterior spinal fusion are 0SG00AJ (L4-L5) and 0SG30AJ (L5-S1). Two codes are also assigned for the posterior spinal fusion, 0SG0071 (L4-L5) and 0SG3071 (L5-S1). Codes 0SB20ZZ and 0SB40ZZ are also assigned for the discectomy performed at two different levels of the spine.

What are interbody posterior and combined fusions?

Interbody, Posterior, and Combined Fusions. A fusion of the vertebrae, which is also known as an arthrodesis procedure, is a procedure performed to cause a part of two or more vertebrae to “fuse” together over time. The procedure involves placing bone graft between the parts of the vertebrae the physician wants to fuse together.

Where is the posterior fusion?

A posterior or posterolateral fusion involves placing bone graft material between one or more of the structures on the back (aka the posterior) part of the vertebrae. The bone graft in this type of fusion if often placed between the transverse processes but may also be placed between the facet joints, lamina, or the lateral masses.

What does interbody fusion mean?

Let’s start with an interbody fusion and break down the word “interbody.”. Inter means “between” and body refers to the “vertebral body” so this word literally means “between the vertebral bodies.”. The vertebral body is the large part of the vertebra positioned in front of the spinal cord towards the front of the body.

What is a combined fusion?

Finally, a combined fusion as the name implies is a combination of the interbody fusion and the posterior/posterolateral fusion ...

What is the procedure called when two vertebrae fuse together?

Interbody, Posterior, and Combined Fusions. A fusion of the vertebrae, which is also known as an arthrodesis procedure, is a procedure performed to cause a part of two or more vertebrae to “fuse” together over time. The procedure involves placing bone graft between the parts of the vertebrae the physician wants to fuse together.

Where does a fusion work?

Fusions are first classified as either anterior fusions where the surgeon makes an incision from the front of the body and works his way down to the spine or as posterior where the surgeon makes an incision from the back of the body and works his way down to the spine that way. For posterior fusions, we then have some more options – ...

Can a posterior fusion be interbody?

For posterior fusions, we then have some more options – the fusion can be posterior/posterolateral only, interbody, or combined. When an operative report directly tells us what type of fusion is performed, it can be straightforward to line up the term posterior, interbody, or combined fusion to the code descriptions in the CPT manual.

Where is the posterolateral fusion?

Posterolateral fusion is a bone graft between the transverse processes in the back of the spine. These vertebrae are then fixed in place with screws or wire through the pedicles of each vertebra, attaching to a metal rod on each side of the vertebrae.

How many lumbar fusions are performed annually?

Lumbar fusions are the most common type of fusion performed ~ 210,000 per year. 24,000 thoracic fusions and 157,000 cervical fusions are performed each year. A 2008 analysis of spinal fusions in the United States reported the following characteristics:

How many spinal fusions were performed in 2011?

According to a report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), approximately 488,000 spinal fusions were performed during U.S. hospital stays in 2011 (a rate of 15.7 stays per 10,000 population), which accounted for 3.1% of all operating room procedures.

How long does it take to recover from a spinal fusion?

The average length of hospital stay for spinal fusions is 3.7 days. Some patients can go home the same day if they undergo a simple cervical spinal fusion at an outpatient surgery center. Minimally invasive surgeries are also significantly reducing the amount of time spent in the hospital. Recovery typically involves both restriction of certain activities and rehabilitation training. Restrictions following surgery largely depend on surgeon preference. A typical timeline for common restrictions after a lumbar fusion surgery are listed below:

How does spinal fusion work?

After the spine is decompressed, bone graft or artificial bone substitut e is packed between the vertebrae to help them heal together. In general, fusions are done either on the anterior (stomach), posterior (back), or both sides of the spine. Today, most fusions are supplemented with hardware (screws, plates, rods) because they have been shown to have higher union rates than non-instrumented fusions. Minimally invasive techniques are also becoming more popular. These techniques use advanced image guidance systems to insert rods/screws into the spine through smaller incisions, allowing for less muscle damage, blood loss, infections, pain, and length of stay in the hospital. The following list gives examples of common types of fusion techniques performed at each level of the spine:

Why do we do spinal fusion?

In general, spinal fusion is performed to decompress and stabilize the spine. The greatest benefit appears to be in spondylolisthesis, while evidence is less good for spinal stenosis. The most common cause of pressure on the spinal cord/nerves is degenerative disc disease. Other common causes include disc herniation, spinal stenosis, trauma, ...

What is used to fuse vertebrae?

Additional hardware (screws, plates, or cages) is often used to hold the bones in place while the graft fuses the two vertebrae together.