Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Radiologic examination of the wrist through arthrography involves a specialized imaging technique that allows for detailed visualization of the wrist joint. This procedure is particularly useful for assessing intra-articular structures, such as ligaments, cartilage, and other soft tissues within the joint. During the arthrography, a radiopaque contrast agent is injected into the joint space, enhancing the visibility of these structures on radiographic images. The process is conducted under radiological supervision, ensuring that the images captured are of high quality and accurately interpreted. A formal interpretation of the findings is provided after the procedure, which is essential for diagnosing any potential abnormalities or injuries within the wrist joint. The procedure typically begins with the preparation of the injection site, including cleansing and the administration of a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort. Following this, a needle is carefully inserted into the joint to aspirate any existing fluid, and the radiopaque substance is injected, often with the aid of fluoroscopic guidance. This technique not only aids in the distribution of the contrast agent but also ensures that the procedure is performed safely and effectively. Once the contrast material is adequately distributed, radiographic images are obtained, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of the wrist joint.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
Radiologic examination of the wrist through arthrography is indicated for various clinical scenarios where detailed visualization of the wrist joint is necessary. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:
The procedure for wrist arthrography involves several critical steps to ensure accurate imaging and patient safety. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the completion of the wrist arthrography, patients may be monitored for a short period to ensure there are no immediate adverse reactions to the contrast material. It is common for patients to experience mild discomfort or swelling at the injection site, which typically resolves quickly. Patients are usually advised to avoid strenuous activities involving the wrist for a short duration following the procedure to allow for proper recovery. A formal written interpretation of the radiographic images is provided after the procedure, which is essential for guiding further clinical management based on the findings.
| Short Descr | CONTRAST X-RAY OF WRIST | Medium Descr | RADEX WRIST ARTHROGRAPHY RS&I | Long Descr | Radiologic examination, wrist, arthrography, radiological supervision and interpretation | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 3 - The usual payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does not apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | T-Packaged Codes | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I4B - Imaging/procedure - other | MUE | 2 | CCS Clinical Classification | 226 - Other diagnostic radiology and related techniques |
| RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 50 | Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.