28086 Excise foot tendon sheath
Also known as: tendon sheath excision, tenosynovitis excision, sheath removal foot
Excision of the tendon sheath of the foot or toe. This procedure removes infected or inflamed tendon sheath tissue to treat tenosynovitis.
In Plain Language
removing infected tissue around a foot tendon; tendon sheath surgery
Clinical Context
Performed for chronic tenosynovitis or recurrent infection. Often necessary after initial drainage if infection persists or chronic inflammation develops.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 4.80 |
| Total RVU | 4.80 |
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 4.80, this code ranks in the 33rd percentile among Surgery codes — 1.7x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 28086?
CPT 28086 (Excise foot tendon sheath) is a Surgery code. Excision of the tendon sheath of the foot or toe. This procedure removes infected or inflamed tendon sheath tissue to treat tenosynovitis.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 28086?
The work RVU for CPT 28086 is 4.80. This code is primarily used by orthopedic surgery, foot and ankle surgery, hand surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 28086 used?
Performed for chronic tenosynovitis or recurrent infection. Often necessary after initial drainage if infection persists or chronic inflammation develops.
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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.