0LXR0ZZ
Transfer Knee Tendon, Left to No Qualifier with No Device, Open Approach
Procedural Specifications
| Clinical Axis | Detail Definition |
|---|---|
| Section | 0 Medical and Surgical |
| Body System | L Tendons |
| Operation | X Transfer |
| Body Part | R Knee Tendon, Left |
| Approach | 0 Open |
| Device | Z No Device |
| Qualifier | Z No Qualifier |
Operation Definition
Moving, without taking out, all or a portion of a body part to another location to take over the function of all or a portion of a body part
Procedure Overview
Tendon transfer procedures move a functioning tendon, along with its muscle attachment, from its original insertion point to a new location so it can take over a movement that has been lost due to nerve injury, muscle paralysis, or irreparable tendon damage elsewhere. The tendon is not removed from the body; it is rerouted while keeping its blood supply and nerve connection intact.
This approach is used when restoring the original damaged tendon is not possible or would not regain function, such as after a peripheral nerve injury that has left a muscle group permanently unable to fire, or in longstanding rotator cuff tears where the original muscle-tendon unit is no longer viable. A classic example is transferring a wrist flexor tendon to restore finger extension after radial nerve palsy.
Because the transferred tendon must learn a new job, rehabilitation includes retraining the patient to consciously activate the muscle for its new purpose, in addition to standard healing time.
Anatomy & Axis Detail
Knee Tendon, Left
The left knee's tendons, notably the patellar tendon and the terminal portions of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles, govern extension and flexion at the joint and stabilize the patella during movement. A left knee tendon transfer moves one of these tendinous structures, maintaining its native vascular supply, to correct extensor mechanism insufficiency, chronic patellar instability, or functional loss following injury or resection in the region. Precise tensioning is critical during reattachment, since even small changes in the length or angle of a knee tendon can alter joint mechanics substantially, and the documentation should identify the specific left-sided tendon transferred along with its new insertion site, distinguishing it from the corresponding right knee procedure.
Approach: Open
Open approach means the surgeon cuts through skin, mucous membrane, or other tissue layers to physically expose the target site to view before performing the procedure. It gives direct visualization and hands-on access, distinguishing it from Percutaneous approaches where instruments pass through a small puncture without exposing the site. Open is typical for procedures needing wide access, such as most laparotomies.
Coding & Documentation
Correct code assignment depends on documentation identifying both the tendon that was moved and the body part whose function it is now taking over, since ICD-10-PCS captures the qualifier for the new functional purpose. The operative note should describe the tendon's original attachment, its new insertion site, and confirm that it retained its native blood and nerve supply throughout the move.
A common mistake is coding a tendon transfer as Transplantation, which applies only when tissue from another individual or a different body site is used with no native vascular connection preserved. Another frequent error is failing to capture the qualifier value that reflects the body part whose function is being restored, since Transfer in ICD-10-PCS requires specifying what the moved tendon is now accomplishing.