26540 Repair hand joint
Also known as: Hand joint repair, Joint reconstruction, Ligament repair
Surgical repair of a hand joint, typically addressing ligamentous injury, cartilage damage, or joint instability through primary repair or reconstruction.
In Plain Language
Repairing a damaged hand joint; Surgery to fix hand joint injury
Clinical Context
Indicated for acute hand joint injuries with ligamentous damage, dislocation with instability, or other joint pathology requiring primary repair.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 6.44 |
| Total RVU | 6.44 |
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 6.44, this code ranks in the 42nd percentile among Surgery codes — 1.2x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 26540?
CPT 26540 (Repair hand joint) is a Surgery code. Surgical repair of a hand joint, typically addressing ligamentous injury, cartilage damage, or joint instability through primary repair or reconstruction.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 26540?
The work RVU for CPT 26540 is 6.44. This code is primarily used by Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Trauma Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 26540 used?
Indicated for acute hand joint injuries with ligamentous damage, dislocation with instability, or other joint pathology requiring primary repair.
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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.