CPT® Code 27808

Closed treatment of bimalleolar ankle fracture (eg, lateral and medial malleoli, or lateral and posterior malleoli or medial and posterior malleoli); without manipulation

The CPT® Code 27808 refers to the closed treatment of a bimalleolar ankle fracture that does not require manipulation. A bimalleolar ankle fracture involves the breaking of two malleoli, which are the bony prominences located at the ankle joint. Specifically, this can include fractures of the lateral malleolus, which is the outer bony prominence formed by the distal fibula, and the medial malleolus, which is the inner bony prominence formed by the distal tibia. Additionally, the fracture may also involve the posterior malleolus, a bony process located at the back of the tibia. In this procedure, the fracture is assessed and treated without the need for realigning the bone fragments through manipulation. Instead, the treatment focuses on immobilizing the fracture to promote healing, typically using a splint or cast. It is important to note that if manipulation is required to align the displaced fragments, the appropriate code to use would be 27810. This code specifically addresses cases where the fracture requires more invasive intervention to restore proper alignment, which is confirmed through the use of separately reportable X-rays.