26480 Transplant hand tendon
Also known as: Tendon transfer, Tendon transplant, Functional transfer
Surgical transplantation or transfer of a tendon to a new location in the hand or finger to restore function lost due to paralysis, muscle injury, or to improve functional outcomes.
In Plain Language
Moving a tendon to a new location to restore finger movement; Tendon transplant to restore hand function
Clinical Context
Indicated for paralyzed muscles where a working muscle-tendon unit can be transferred to restore function, common in ulnar nerve palsy, radial nerve injury, or spinal cord injury.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 8.78 |
| Total RVU | 8.78 |
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 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 8.78, this code ranks in the 54th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.1x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 26480?
CPT 26480 (Transplant hand tendon) is a Surgery code. Surgical transplantation or transfer of a tendon to a new location in the hand or finger to restore function lost due to paralysis, muscle injury, or to improve functional outcomes.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 26480?
The work RVU for CPT 26480 is 8.78. This code is primarily used by Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Microsurgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 26480 used?
Indicated for paralyzed muscles where a working muscle-tendon unit can be transferred to restore function, common in ulnar nerve palsy, radial nerve injury, or spinal cord injury.
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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.