20550 Njx 1 tendon sheath/ligament
Also known as: tendon sheath injection, ligament injection
Injection of therapeutic agent into single tendon sheath or ligament for treatment of inflammation or pain. This procedure delivers medication to synovial sheath around tendon.
In Plain Language
injection around a tendon for pain relief
Clinical Context
Used for treatment of tenosynovitis, tendon sheath inflammation, or ligamentous pain conditions. Provides symptomatic relief and reduces inflammation.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 0.73 |
| Total RVU | 0.73 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 0.73, this code ranks in the 2nd percentile among Surgery codes — 11.0x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 20550?
CPT 20550 (Njx 1 tendon sheath/ligament) is a Surgery code. Injection of therapeutic agent into single tendon sheath or ligament for treatment of inflammation or pain. This procedure delivers medication to synovial sheath around tendon.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 20550?
The work RVU for CPT 20550 is 0.73. This code is primarily used by Orthopedic Surgery, Hand Surgery, Sports Medicine.
When is CPT 20550 used?
Used for treatment of tenosynovitis, tendon sheath inflammation, or ligamentous pain conditions. Provides symptomatic relief and reduces inflammation.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.