29846 Wrist arthroscopy/surgery
Also known as: wrist debridement, arthroscopic wrist cleanup, wrist arthritis treatment
Arthroscopy of the wrist with arthroscopic debridement of cartilage and bone for osteoarthritis or osteochondral pathology.
In Plain Language
cleaning wrist cartilage damage; treating wrist arthritis
Clinical Context
Indicated for wrist osteoarthritis, scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC), and osteochondral lesions.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 6.72 |
| Total RVU | 6.72 |
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 6.72, this code ranks in the 44th 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 29846?
CPT 29846 (Wrist arthroscopy/surgery) is a Surgery code. Arthroscopy of the wrist with arthroscopic debridement of cartilage and bone for osteoarthritis or osteochondral pathology.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 29846?
The work RVU for CPT 29846 is 6.72. This code is primarily used by Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 29846 used?
Indicated for wrist osteoarthritis, scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC), and osteochondral lesions.
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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.