29856 Tibial arthroscopy/surgery
Also known as: tibial OCD repair, osteochondral lesion repair, chondral repair tibia
Arthroscopy of the tibiofemoral joint with surgical treatment of osteochondritis dissecans, osteochondral lesions, or chondral pathology.
In Plain Language
fixing cartilage damage in knee; repairing knee joint surface
Clinical Context
Used for osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyles, osteochondral defects, and chondral lesions.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 13.92 |
| Total RVU | 13.92 |
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 13.92, this code ranks in the 70th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.7x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 29856?
CPT 29856 (Tibial arthroscopy/surgery) is a Surgery code. Arthroscopy of the tibiofemoral joint with surgical treatment of osteochondritis dissecans, osteochondral lesions, or chondral pathology.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 29856?
The work RVU for CPT 29856 is 13.92. This code is primarily used by Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 29856 used?
Used for osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyles, osteochondral defects, and chondral 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.