AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2008 Issue 4; VOLUMES 1 AND 2 NEW/REVISED CODES

Repair of the Anulus Fibrosus

Effective October 1, 2008, code 80.53, Repair of the anulus fibrosus with graft or prosthesis, and code 80.54, Other and unspecified repair of the anulus fibrosus, have been created for repair of the anulus fibrosus, following a surgical discectomy. The annulus is the tough outer ring that contains the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc. Traditionally, the anular defect was left to heal on its own; however, not repairing the defect may contribute to recurrent disc herniation through the opening in the anulus fibrosus, a higher rate of return to surgery and poor patient outcomes. Anular repair...

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