29843 Wrist arthroscopy/surgery
Also known as: SL ligament repair, carpal ligament repair, scapholunate repair
Arthroscopy of the wrist with treatment of scapholunate ligament injuries or repair of other carpal ligaments.
In Plain Language
fixing wrist ligament; repairing wrist support
Clinical Context
Used for scapholunate ligament dissociation, carpal instability, and dynamic carpal ligament injuries.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 6.00 |
| Total RVU | 6.00 |
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 6.00, this code ranks in the 40th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.3x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 29843?
CPT 29843 (Wrist arthroscopy/surgery) is a Surgery code. Arthroscopy of the wrist with treatment of scapholunate ligament injuries or repair of other carpal ligaments.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 29843?
The work RVU for CPT 29843 is 6.00. This code is primarily used by Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 29843 used?
Used for scapholunate ligament dissociation, carpal instability, and dynamic carpal ligament injuries.
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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.