CPT® Code 24358

Tenotomy, elbow, lateral or medial (eg, epicondylitis, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow); debridement, soft tissue and/or bone, open

The CPT® Code 24358 refers to a surgical procedure known as a tenotomy of the elbow, specifically targeting either the lateral or medial aspect, which is commonly associated with conditions such as lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow). Lateral epicondylitis is characterized by pain on the outer side of the elbow, resulting from injury to the wrist extensors, which are the muscles responsible for lifting the hand. Conversely, medial epicondylitis involves pain on the inner side of the elbow due to injury to the wrist flexors, the muscles that facilitate hand movement downward. During this procedure, an incision is made 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. The procedure is performed in conjunction with open debridement of soft tissue and/or bone, which involves the excision of degenerated tissue and the removal of any soft tissue from the tendon insertion site at the epicondyle. Additionally, any bone spurs present may be excised, and multiple drill holes may be created in the affected epicondyle to promote healing. This code is specifically utilized when the tenotomy is performed alongside these debridement activities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to treating the underlying issues associated with elbow pain and dysfunction.