Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Quiz: Code Joint And Spine Procedures
20 questions · exam conditions
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Code Joint And Spine ProceduresQuestion 1 of 20

An orthopedic surgeon performs arthroscopic suturing and repair of a medial meniscus tear, leaving the lateral meniscus intact. Which CPT® code is reported?

29880
29881
29882
29883
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Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Quiz

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Quiz: Code Joint And Spine Procedures

Practice Code Joint And Spine Procedures in Certified Professional Coder (CPC) with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Code Joint And Spine Procedures, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Certified Professional Coder (CPC).

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

An orthopedic surgeon performs arthroscopic suturing and repair of a medial meniscus tear, leaving the lateral meniscus intact. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 29880
  2. 29881
  3. 29882 (correct answer)
  4. 29883
Explanation: CPT® 29882 describes arthroscopy of the knee, surgical, with meniscus repair (medial OR lateral) — the correct code when one meniscus is repaired (sutured) rather than excised. The medial meniscus is repaired with sutures here, and the lateral meniscus is not touched. Code 29880 describes meniscectomy (excision) of both medial and lateral menisci — a resection, not a repair, and bilateral. Code 29881 describes arthroscopic meniscectomy (excision) of one meniscus; the meniscus here is repaired, not excised. Code 29883 describes repair of both medial and lateral menisci; only the medial meniscus is repaired here. The critical distinction between 29881 (meniscectomy) and 29882 (meniscus repair) is whether the meniscal tissue is removed or sutured.

Question 2

A surgeon performs a primary total shoulder arthroplasty, replacing both the humeral head and the glenoid component of the glenohumeral joint. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 23470
  2. 24363
  3. 27447
  4. 23472 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® 23472 describes total shoulder arthroplasty (glenohumeral joint) — the correct code for primary replacement of both the humeral and glenoid components of the shoulder joint. Code 23470 describes hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder (humeral head replacement only), in which only the humeral side is replaced with a prosthesis and the natural glenoid is retained; a glenoid component is also implanted here, making 23472 correct. Code 24363 describes total elbow arthroplasty — a different joint entirely. Code 27447 describes total knee arthroplasty. The presence of a glenoid component differentiates total shoulder arthroplasty (23472) from shoulder hemiarthroplasty (23470), which replaces the humeral component only.

Question 3

A physician aspirates a large knee effusion and injects corticosteroid into the knee joint without ultrasound guidance. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 20600
  2. 20605
  3. 20611
  4. 20610 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® 20610 describes aspiration and/or injection of a major joint or bursa (such as the knee, hip, shoulder, or ankle) without ultrasound guidance — the correct code for aspiration and/or injection of a large joint in the same session without imaging. The knee is a major joint. Code 20600 describes aspiration/injection of a small joint or bursa (e.g., finger, toe); the knee is a large joint, not small. Code 20605 describes aspiration/injection of an intermediate joint (e.g., wrist, elbow, ankle); the knee is classified as a major/large joint. Code 20611 describes aspiration/injection of a major joint with ultrasound guidance and requires permanent imaging documentation; no imaging guidance is used here. Joint size classification — small (20600), intermediate (20605), and major (20610) — is the primary axis for joint aspiration/injection code selection.

Question 4

A surgeon treats a displaced femoral neck fracture in an 82-year-old patient by replacing the femoral head with a prosthesis, leaving the native acetabulum intact. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 27130
  2. 27134
  3. 27125 (correct answer)
  4. 27138
Explanation: CPT® 27125 describes hemiarthroplasty of the hip — the correct code for a procedure in which only the femoral component (femoral head and stem) is replaced with a prosthesis while the native acetabulum is left intact and unchanged. Hip hemiarthroplasty is the standard surgical treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients when the acetabulum is healthy. Code 27130 describes total hip arthroplasty, which replaces both the femoral and acetabular components; the acetabulum is not touched in a hemiarthroplasty. Code 27134 describes revision total hip arthroplasty of both components; this is a first-time implantation for an acute fracture, not a revision. Code 27138 describes revision of the femoral component only of a prior hip replacement; no prior hip prosthesis exists in this patient. The single-component (femoral only) replacement with an intact native acetabulum defines hemiarthroplasty (27125).

Question 5

A pain management physician performs a cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection under fluoroscopic guidance with contrast confirmation at C6-C7. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 62322
  2. 62320
  3. 62321 (correct answer)
  4. 62323
Explanation: CPT® 62321 describes injection of diagnostic or therapeutic substance into the epidural space, cervical or thoracic region, by interlaminar approach, with imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or CT) — the correct code for a cervical interlaminar epidural injection performed under fluoroscopic guidance. Code 62320 describes the same cervical interlaminar epidural injection without imaging guidance; since fluoroscopy with contrast was used to confirm needle placement, 62321 (with imaging) is required. Code 62322 describes interlaminar epidural injection in the lumbar or sacral region without imaging guidance; this injection is cervical, not lumbar. Code 62323 describes lumbar or sacral interlaminar epidural injection with imaging guidance; again, this is a cervical procedure. The two axes — spinal region (cervical/thoracic vs. lumbar/sacral) and imaging guidance (with vs. without) — create four codes: 62320, 62321, 62322, and 62323.

Question 6

A spine surgeon performs a posterior cervical hemilaminectomy with nerve root decompression and removal of a herniated disc fragment at C5-C6. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 63020 (correct answer)
  2. 63030
  3. 63047
  4. 63048
Explanation: CPT® 63020 describes laminotomy (hemilaminectomy) with decompression of nerve root(s), including any facetectomy, foraminotomy, and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc, single interspace, cervical — the correct code for a posterior cervical hemilaminectomy with nerve root decompression and disc fragment removal at one level. Code 63030 describes the same procedure in the lumbar region; this is a cervical procedure. Code 63047 describes laminectomy with facetectomy and foraminotomy for stenosis, which is a bilateral, more extensive decompression — and applies to the lumbar region; the procedure here is a unilateral cervical hemilaminectomy. Code 63048 is an add-on code for each additional level used in conjunction with 63047. The spinal level (cervical vs. lumbar) and technique (hemilaminectomy vs. full laminectomy) together identify 63020.

Question 7

An orthopedic surgeon performs arthroscopic partial resection of both the medial and lateral menisci of the right knee during the same session. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 29881
  2. 29882
  3. 29880 (correct answer)
  4. 29883
Explanation: CPT® 29880 describes arthroscopy of the knee, surgical, with meniscectomy including any meniscal shaving (medial AND lateral) — the correct code when both the medial and lateral menisci are partially or totally excised during the same arthroscopic session. Code 29881 describes meniscectomy of one meniscus (medial OR lateral); both menisci are operated on here, requiring 29880. Code 29882 describes meniscus repair (not excision) of one meniscus; both menisci are resected, not repaired. Code 29883 describes arthroscopic repair of both medial and lateral menisci — a bilateral repair, not resection. When both menisci are excised in the same session, 29880 is reported once rather than reporting 29881 twice.

Question 8

A surgeon performs a revision total knee arthroplasty, removing and replacing both the femoral and tibial components. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 27486
  2. 27130
  3. 27447
  4. 27487 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® 27487 describes revision of total knee arthroplasty, with or without allograft, femoral AND tibial components — the correct code when both the femoral and tibial components are removed and replaced. Code 27486 describes revision of the femoral OR tibial component (one component only); since both femoral and tibial components are revised here, 27487 is required. Code 27447 describes primary (first-time) total knee arthroplasty — not applicable to a revision procedure in a patient with a prior implant. Code 27130 describes total hip arthroplasty, a different joint. The component scope distinguishes revision knee codes: 27486 for one component (femoral or tibial), 27487 for both femoral and tibial components.

Question 9

A surgeon performs percutaneous vertebroplasty of a single lumbar vertebral body by direct cement injection without balloon inflation. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 22511 (correct answer)
  2. 22510
  3. 22514
  4. 22513
Explanation: CPT® 22511 describes percutaneous vertebroplasty of a single vertebral body in the lumbar region — the correct code for direct cement injection into a lumbar vertebral body without balloon tamp inflation. The distinguishing feature of vertebroplasty (22511) versus kyphoplasty (22514) is the absence of balloon inflation: vertebroplasty delivers cement directly, while kyphoplasty first inflates a balloon to create a cavity and restore vertebral height before cement injection. Code 22510 describes vertebroplasty in the cervicothoracic (not lumbar) region. Code 22514 describes lumbar kyphoplasty with balloon inflation; no balloon is used here. Code 22513 describes thoracic kyphoplasty — wrong both in procedure type and region. The operative description of direct cement injection without balloon inflation at the lumbar level identifies 22511.

Question 10

A surgeon performs a primary total knee arthroplasty for end-stage tricompartmental osteoarthritis, replacing all three components (femoral, tibial, and patellar) with new prosthetic implants. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 27447 (correct answer)
  2. 27130
  3. 27125
  4. 27486
Explanation: CPT® 27447 describes total knee arthroplasty — the correct code for primary replacement of all three components of the knee joint (femoral, tibial, and patellar) performed for end-stage osteoarthritis or other degenerative joint disease. Code 27130 describes total hip arthroplasty — a different joint entirely. Code 27125 describes hemiarthroplasty of the hip, replacing only the femoral head component. Code 27486 describes revision total knee arthroplasty involving the femoral or tibial component; the note documents a primary (not revision) procedure with new prosthetic components. The initial, first-time replacement of all knee joint components — femoral, tibial, and patellar — with new prosthetic implants defines 27447.

Question 11

A spine surgeon performs a bilateral laminectomy with facetectomy and bilateral foraminotomy at L4–L5 for lumbar spinal stenosis. Which CPT® code is reported for this single-level lumbar decompression?

  1. 63030
  2. 63020
  3. 63047 (correct answer)
  4. 63048
Explanation: CPT® 63047 describes laminectomy with facetectomy and foraminotomy (bilateral decompressive technique) for a single interspace in the lumbar region — the correct code when lumbar stenosis is treated by removing the lamina with bilateral facet and foramen decompression at one level. Code 63030 describes laminotomy (hemilaminectomy) with nerve root decompression at a single lumbar interspace — a less extensive unilateral decompression technique that does not include bilateral facetectomy. Code 63020 describes a similar hemilaminectomy at the cervical level; this procedure is lumbar. Code 63048 is the add-on code for each additional interspace used with 63047; only one level (L4-L5) is treated here.

Question 12

A pain physician performs a transforaminal epidural steroid injection at L5, targeting the L5 nerve root as it exits the foramen. Which CPT® code is reported for this single-level lumbar transforaminal epidural injection?

  1. 62323
  2. 64493
  3. 64490
  4. 64483 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® 64483 describes injection of anesthetic agent and/or steroid, transforaminal epidural, lumbar or sacral, single level — the correct code for a transforaminal (not interlaminar) epidural injection targeting the foraminal space at the L5 level. The transforaminal approach directs medication to the nerve root as it exits the foramen, distinguishing it from the interlaminar epidural approach. Code 62323 describes a lumbar interlaminar epidural injection with imaging guidance; this procedure uses a transforaminal technique, not interlaminar, requiring the 6448x series rather than 6232x. Code 64493 describes a paravertebral facet joint injection (lumbar/sacral); this is a transforaminal epidural, not a facet joint injection. Code 64490 describes a paravertebral facet joint injection at the cervical or thoracic level. The route of access — transforaminal vs. interlaminar — is the critical distinction.

Question 13

A surgeon performs arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (29827) and, at the same session, performs subacromial decompression with partial acromioplasty. CPT® 29827 is reported as the primary service. Which add-on CPT® code is also reported for the subacromial decompression?

  1. 29827
  2. 29828
  3. 29826 (correct answer)
  4. 29823
Explanation: CPT® 29826 is an add-on code (+29826) describing arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; decompression of subacromial space with partial acromioplasty, with coracoacromial ligament (CAL) release, when performed. Because 29826 is designated as an add-on code, it is never reported as a standalone service — it must always be reported alongside an eligible primary arthroscopic shoulder procedure such as 29827. Code 29827 is the primary code for rotator cuff repair and is already reported; it cannot be listed again as the add-on. Code 29828 describes arthroscopic biceps tenodesis, which was not performed. Code 29823 describes extensive arthroscopic shoulder debridement; when subacromial decompression with acromioplasty is specifically performed and documented, the more accurate add-on code is 29826 rather than the broad debridement code. The add-on status of 29826 is one of the highest-yield arthroscopic shoulder coding concepts tested on the CPC exam.

Question 14

A surgeon performs bilateral laminectomy with facetectomy and foraminotomy at two lumbar levels (L3–L4 and L4–L5). Which add-on CPT® code is reported for the second lumbar interspace decompressed in the same session?

  1. 63047
  2. 63030
  3. 63020
  4. 63048 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® 63048 describes laminectomy, facetectomy, and foraminotomy, single interspace, each additional interspace — the add-on code reported for each additional lumbar or thoracic interspace that undergoes the same bilateral laminectomy/facetectomy/foraminotomy technique in the same operative session as the primary 63047. Code 63047 is the primary code and can only be reported once per operative session regardless of the number of levels treated; 63048 is reported for each additional level. Code 63030 describes the less extensive lumbar hemilaminectomy procedure; the procedure here is the bilateral 63047 technique. Code 63020 describes cervical hemilaminectomy. For two levels of bilateral lumbar decompression, the correct reporting is 63047 (first level) + 63048 (second level).

Question 15

A surgeon performs a unilateral (hemi) lumbar laminotomy at L4–L5 with nerve root decompression and removal of a herniated disc fragment. Which CPT® code is reported for this single-level lumbar disc decompression?

  1. 63047
  2. 63030 (correct answer)
  3. 63048
  4. 63020
Explanation: CPT® 63030 describes laminotomy (hemilaminectomy) with decompression of nerve root(s), including any facetectomy, foraminotomy, and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc, single interspace, lumbar — the correct code for a unilateral (hemi) lumbar laminotomy with nerve root decompression and disc removal at one level. Code 63047 describes a more extensive bilateral laminectomy with facetectomy and bilateral foraminotomy (typically for spinal stenosis); the procedure here is a unilateral hemilaminectomy for disc herniation, not a bilateral stenosis decompression. Code 63048 is an add-on for each additional interspace in the context of 63047; only one level is treated and the base procedure is 63030, not 63047. Code 63020 describes cervical hemilaminectomy; this procedure is lumbar.

Question 16

A surgeon performs a percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty of an L1 osteoporotic compression fracture, using balloon inflation to restore vertebral height before cement injection. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 22511
  2. 22510
  3. 22513
  4. 22514 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® 22514 describes percutaneous vertebral augmentation (e.g., kyphoplasty) of a single vertebral body in the lumbar region — the correct code for a balloon kyphoplasty technique performed in the lumbar spine. The key distinction from vertebroplasty (22511) is the mechanism: kyphoplasty involves balloon inflation to restore vertebral body height prior to cement injection, while vertebroplasty (22511) involves direct cement injection without balloon tamp. Code 22511 describes percutaneous vertebroplasty of a lumbar vertebral body — no balloon is used in vertebroplasty. Code 22510 describes vertebroplasty of the cervicothoracic region. Code 22513 describes percutaneous vertebral augmentation (kyphoplasty) at the thoracic level; L1 is in the lumbar region. The procedure type (kyphoplasty vs. vertebroplasty) and spinal region (lumbar vs. thoracic) together select 22514.

Question 17

An orthopedic surgeon performs an arthroscopic knee procedure, partially resecting the medial meniscus while leaving the lateral meniscus intact. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 29880
  2. 29881 (correct answer)
  3. 29882
  4. 29883
Explanation: CPT® 29881 describes arthroscopy of the knee, surgical, with meniscectomy (medial OR lateral) — the correct code when only one meniscus (either medial or lateral) is partially or totally excised. The medial meniscus is resected in this case while the lateral meniscus is left intact, making 29881 the correct selection. Code 29880 describes meniscectomy of both medial AND lateral menisci in the same session; only the medial is treated here. Code 29882 describes arthroscopic meniscus repair of one meniscus; the meniscus is resected (removed), not repaired. Code 29883 describes arthroscopic repair of both medial and lateral menisci. The medial-only resection (not repair) identifies 29881.

Question 18

A spine surgeon performs an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) at a single level below C2, including preparation of the interspace and placement of an interbody graft. Which CPT® code describes the anterior interbody arthrodesis?

  1. 22551 (correct answer)
  2. 22554
  3. 22612
  4. 22856
Explanation: CPT® 22551 describes arthrodesis, anterior interbody technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression), cervical below C2, single interspace — the correct code for ACDF at a single cervical level. The anterior cervical plate instrumentation and interbody cage are reported with separate add-on codes (22845 for anterior instrumentation, 22853 for interbody device). Code 22554 describes anterior interbody arthrodesis in the lumbar spine; this procedure is cervical. Code 22612 describes posterior technique arthrodesis in the lumbar spine. Code 22856 describes total disc arthroplasty (cervical disc replacement), which is a motion-preserving procedure using an artificial disc — a bone-graft fusion is performed here, not disc replacement. The cervical anterior interbody fusion below C2 at one level identifies 22551.

Question 19

A pain management physician performs a fluoroscopically guided injection of corticosteroid into the right L4-L5 zygapophysial (facet) joint at a single level. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 64490
  2. 64493 (correct answer)
  3. 64483
  4. 64494
Explanation: CPT® 64493 describes injection of diagnostic or therapeutic substance into a paravertebral facet joint (or facet joint nerve) in the lumbar or sacral region, single level — the correct code for a fluoroscopically guided injection into a lumbar zygapophysial (facet) joint at one level. Code 64490 describes paravertebral facet joint injection at the cervical or thoracic level; this is a lumbar injection, requiring 64493. Code 64483 describes transforaminal epidural injection at the lumbar level — a different technique targeting the epidural space via the foramen, not the facet joint. Code 64494 is an add-on code for a second lumbar or sacral facet joint level; only one level is treated here. The target (facet joint vs. epidural space) and the spinal region (lumbar vs. cervical/thoracic) together identify 64493.

Question 20

A surgeon performs an arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a patellar tendon autograft. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 29881
  2. 29888 (correct answer)
  3. 29889
  4. 29880
Explanation: CPT® 29888 describes arthroscopically aided anterior cruciate ligament repair, augmentation, or reconstruction — the correct code for any ACL reconstruction performed with arthroscopic assistance, regardless of the graft type (autograft, allograft, or synthetic). Code 29881 describes arthroscopic knee meniscectomy (medial or lateral); no meniscectomy is performed here. Code 29889 describes arthroscopically aided posterior cruciate ligament repair, augmentation, or reconstruction; the PCL is intact and the injury involves the ACL, not the PCL. Code 29880 describes arthroscopic knee meniscectomy of both medial and lateral menisci. The ACL reconstruction — not a meniscectomy or PCL procedure — identifies 29888 as the correct code.