CPT® Code 24357

The CPT® Code 24357 refers to a percutaneous tenotomy of the elbow, specifically targeting either the lateral or medial aspect, which is commonly associated with conditions such as lateral epicondylitis, known as tennis elbow, and medial epicondylitis, referred to as golfer's elbow. Lateral epicondylitis manifests as pain on the outer side of the elbow, resulting from injury to the wrist extensors, the muscles responsible for lifting the hand. Conversely, medial epicondylitis presents as pain on the inner side of the elbow, stemming from injury to the wrist flexors, the muscles that facilitate hand movement downward. The procedure involves making a small incision over the lateral or medial epicondyle, depending on the specific condition being treated. In the case of a lateral tenotomy, the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon, which connects the wrist extensors to the lateral epicondyle, is incised. For a medial tenotomy, the common flexor tendon, which attaches the wrist flexors to the medial epicondyle, is incised. This procedure is typically performed to alleviate pain and restore function by addressing the underlying tendon issues. It is important to note that if the tenotomy is performed in conjunction with open debridement of soft tissue and/or bone, different CPT codes, such as 24358 or 24359, should be utilized to accurately reflect the complexity of the procedure performed.