CPT® Code 27698

The procedure described by CPT® Code 27698 involves the repair of a disrupted ligament in the ankle, specifically targeting the collateral ligaments. The ankle joint is supported by several ligaments, which are categorized into three main groups: the deltoid or medial collateral ligament, which provides medial stability; the three lateral collateral ligaments (anterior talofibular, posterior talofibular, and calcaneofibular ligaments), which stabilize the joint laterally; and the syndesmotic ligaments that maintain the alignment of the ankle. When any of these ligaments are disrupted, it can lead to instability in the ankle joint, significantly affecting mobility and function. This procedure is classified as a secondary repair, which is performed several weeks after the initial injury. The need for a secondary repair may arise due to the failure of a primary repair or conservative treatment methods, or it may be necessitated by a reinjury following a primary repair. Various surgical techniques can be employed for this repair, with the Watson-Jones procedure being one of the more commonly utilized methods for addressing injuries to the lateral collateral ligaments. This technique involves making an incision on the lateral side of the ankle, followed by careful dissection of soft tissues to expose the joint capsule and the affected ligaments. The procedure typically includes the use of grafts, often harvested from donor tendons such as the peroneus brevis, peroneus longus, Achilles tendon, or plantaris tendon, to reconstruct the damaged ligaments and restore stability to the ankle joint.