0SBH3ZZ
Excision Tarsal Joint, Right to No Qualifier with No Device, Percutaneous Approach
Procedural Specifications
| Clinical Axis | Detail Definition |
|---|---|
| Section | 0 Medical and Surgical |
| Body System | S Lower Joints |
| Operation | B Excision |
| Body Part | H Tarsal Joint, Right |
| Approach | 3 Percutaneous |
| Device | Z No Device |
| Qualifier | Z No Qualifier |
Operation Definition
Cutting out or off, without replacement, a portion of a body part
Procedure Overview
This family describes cutting away a portion of a lower joint's tissue - synovium, labrum, meniscus remnants, or other intra-articular structures - without replacing what is removed. Partial meniscectomy in the knee, synovial biopsy for diagnosing arthritis, and trimming of frayed labral tissue in the hip are typical examples. The intent is to remove only the diseased, torn, or excess portion while leaving the rest of the joint intact and functional.
These procedures are performed both to relieve mechanical symptoms, such as a torn meniscus catching or locking the knee, and to obtain tissue samples that help diagnose conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Many are done arthroscopically through small portals, though open excision is still used for larger or harder-to-reach lesions.
Because only part of the structure is taken, the joint typically retains its normal range of motion afterward, distinguishing this recovery path from procedures that fuse or replace the joint entirely.
Anatomy & Axis Detail
Tarsal Joint, Right
The right tarsal joints connect the talus, calcaneus, navicular, and cuboid, forming the complex hindfoot and midfoot articulations that allow inversion, eversion, and shock absorption during walking. Excision in this region typically targets a coalition bar between tarsal bones, an inflamed synovial pannus, degenerated cartilage, or an accessory bone fragment causing pain or restricted subtalar motion. Because the tarsal bones interlock tightly and share load across multiple small joints, surgeons must carefully identify which specific articulation, such as the talocalcaneal or talonavicular joint, is being addressed, as imaging and operative notes commonly reference these individually. Removing only the diseased portion while preserving the surrounding tarsal architecture helps maintain hindfoot alignment and avoids the more extensive bone removal associated with fusion procedures at this site.
Approach: Percutaneous
Percutaneous describes entry by needle or instrument puncture through the skin or mucous membrane to reach the site of the procedure, without cutting the tissue open or using a visualizing scope. It differs from Open in that the site itself is never exposed, and from Percutaneous Endoscopic in that no endoscope is used to see internal structures. Common examples include needle biopsies and injections.
Coding & Documentation
Coders should confirm the documentation describes cutting out a portion of joint tissue, such as a partial meniscectomy, labral debridement, or synovial biopsy, with the remainder of the body part left in place. Pathology reports listing joint tissue specimens are strong supporting evidence. A frequent error is coding a complete meniscectomy or total synovectomy as Excision when the operative note actually describes removal of the entire structure, which some coding guidance treats as Resection depending on how the body part is defined for that joint. Another common pitfall is confusing a biopsy taken for diagnostic purposes with a therapeutic debridement, since both use Excision but may need different qualifiers indicating diagnostic intent.