26591 Repair muscles of hand
Also known as: Intrinsic muscle repair, Hand muscle repair, Muscle reconstruction
Surgical repair of the intrinsic muscles of the hand to restore or improve function, typically performed for muscle injury, rupture, or functional deficit.
In Plain Language
Repairing hand muscles to improve grip; Surgery to fix damaged hand muscles
Clinical Context
Indicated for intrinsic hand muscle injury, rupture, or damage affecting hand function, grip, or fine motor control.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 3.30 |
| Total RVU | 3.30 |
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 3.30, this code ranks in the 23rd percentile among Surgery codes — 2.4x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 26591?
CPT 26591 (Repair muscles of hand) is a Surgery code. Surgical repair of the intrinsic muscles of the hand to restore or improve function, typically performed for muscle injury, rupture, or functional deficit.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 26591?
The work RVU for CPT 26591 is 3.30. This code is primarily used by Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Microsurgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 26591 used?
Indicated for intrinsic hand muscle injury, rupture, or damage affecting hand function, grip, or fine motor control.
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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.