W8500: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - unilateral
Current codeBody area: Knee
For guidance only. Always check the code and obtain authorisation from your insurer before treatment. Other insurers may use different codes and coding rules.
Also known as
knee arthroscopyknee scopekeyhole knee surgerymeniscus surgerytorn meniscuscartilage tear surgery
For guidance only. Procedure codes and descriptions on this site are provided for general guidance only and are not a guarantee of insurance cover or payment. Always check the correct code with your surgeon's secretary and obtain authorisation from your insurer before treatment. Insurers shown are examples only. Other insurers are available, and each may use the same, similar or different codes and coding rules.
Insurer listing
| Insurer | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bupa | Listed | Listed by Bupa |
| AXA Health | Listed | Listed by AXA Health |
| Vitality | Listed | Listed by Vitality |
| WPA | Listed | Listed by WPA |
Codes that can't be billed with W8500
Neither code can be billed with the other
- A6110: Excision of lesion of peripheral nerve
- A6600: Release of entrapment of deeply placed peripheral nerve
- S4230: Secondary suture of skin
- T5900: Excision of ganglion
- T6520: Tendon sheath injection of therapeutic substance, including viscosupplement +/- image guidance
- T6580: Tendon graft, or tendon transfer (as sole procedure, not otherwise specified)
- T6800: Delayed or secondary repair of tendon (including graft, transfer and/or prosthesis) (not otherwise specified)
- T6910: Tenolysis, of extensor (not otherwise specified)
- T7050: Lengthening of tendon(s) or open tenotomy
- T7110: Tenosynovectomy
- T7290: Trigger point injection/Enthesis - 1 injection
- T8003: Major release of muscle for pain or contracture (e.g. Quadriceps) (involving large joint)
- W0700: Excision of ectopic bone
- W2830: Removal of internal fixation from bone / joint, excluding K-wires +/- image guidance
- W3110: Osteochondral grafting as a single stage procedure
- W3122: Harvesting for autologous chondrocyte transplantation into knee (including arthroscopy)
- W3123: Implantation of autologous chondrocytes into knee (including knee surgery, debridement and periosteal flap or membrane cover)
- W3150: Harvesting and injection of autologous bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) with collagen cell carrier for osteochondral defects of the knee
- W3530: Removal of percutaneous wire
- W4200: Complex primary total knee replacement (i.e. including bone graft, augmentation or osteotomy)
- W4214: Customised unicompartmental knee replacement
- W4216: Customised bicompartmental knee replacement
- W4218: Customised total prosthetic replacement of knee joint
- W4230: Revision of total knee replacement – unilateral
- W4231: Robotic assisted revision of total knee replacement - unilateral
- W4244: Tibial liner exchange in total knee replacement
- W4280: Total prosthetic replacement of knee joint +/- cement +/- patella resurfacing - bilateral
- W5201: Unicompartmental Knee Replacement - bilateral
- W5210: Revision of unicompartmental knee replacement - unilateral
- W5300: Bicompartmental knee resurfacing
- W5800: Conversion of a unicompartmental knee replacement to a total replacement of knee joint
- W5830: Robotic assisted total knee replacement – unilateral +/- cement, +/- patella
- W5831: Robotic assisted total knee replacement - bilateral +/- cement, +/- patella
- W5851: Localised patient specific knee resurfacing arthroplasty - unilateral
- W5852: Localised patient specific twin knee resurfacing arthroplasty - unilateral
- W6913: Total synovectomy of large joint
- W7420: Autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction without lateral tenodesis +/- meniscectomy
- W7430: Reconstruction of lateral collateral ligament complex
- W7492: Lateral release
- W7583: Repair of patellar/quadricep tendon
- W8150: Arthrotomy of large joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- W8180: Arthrotomy of small joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
- W8240: Meniscal allograft transplantation
- W8250: Partial replacement of the meniscus of the knee using a biodegradable scaffold
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8520: Arthroscopy of knee (including examination under anaesthetic, washout and biopsy) (as sole procedure)
- W8580: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - bilateral
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8780: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- X3770: Intramuscular injection(s) with x-ray control (e.g. piriformis block)
- W5200: Unicompartmental knee replacement - unilateral
- W4210: Total prosthetic replacement of knee joint +/- cement +/- patella resurfacing - unilateral
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W5822: Robotic assisted revision of unicompartmental knee replacement - unilateral
- W0850: Partial excision of bone (including exostoses)
- W7580: Open surgical stabilisation of patella, including soft tissue/tendon transfer or release, +/- application of cast (adult)
- W5821: Robotic assisted unicompartmental knee replacement - bilateral
- W7630: Reconstruction of medial collateral ligament complex
- W7530: Repair of lateral collateral ligament complex
- W7730: Repair of medial collateral ligament complex
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- W3124: Single stage harvest of cartilage and injection of autologous morcellised cartilage and platelet rich plasma into joint
W8500 can't be billed with
AXA Health also lists these codes as unacceptable combinations (69)
- T8003: Major release of muscle for pain or contracture (e.g. Quadriceps) (involving large joint)
- W6913: Total synovectomy of large joint
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
- W8150: Arthrotomy of large joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- T5900: Excision of ganglion
- T7230: Release of constriction of sheath of tendon (e.g. trigger finger)
- A5210: Epidural injection (lumbar)
- W8520: Arthroscopy of knee (including examination under anaesthetic, washout and biopsy) (as sole procedure)
- W4210: Total prosthetic replacement of knee joint +/- cement +/- patella resurfacing - unilateral
- W5200: Unicompartmental knee replacement - unilateral
- W3123: Implantation of autologous chondrocytes into knee (including knee surgery, debridement and periosteal flap or membrane cover)
- T6520: Tendon sheath injection of therapeutic substance, including viscosupplement +/- image guidance
- W7451: 2 stage revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction - first stage
- W2830: Removal of internal fixation from bone / joint, excluding K-wires +/- image guidance
- W4280: Total prosthetic replacement of knee joint +/- cement +/- patella resurfacing - bilateral
- W5201: Unicompartmental Knee Replacement - bilateral
- W7400: Reconstruction of one or two ligaments not elsewhere specified
- W3530: Removal of percutaneous wire
- W7420: Autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction without lateral tenodesis +/- meniscectomy
- W4200: Complex primary total knee replacement (i.e. including bone graft, augmentation or osteotomy)
- W0860: Metatarsophalangeal cheilectomy (as sole procedure) - unilateral
- T6220: Excision of bursa
- X4810: Change of cast without general anaesthetic (as sole procedure)
- X3770: Intramuscular injection(s) with x-ray control (e.g. piriformis block)
- W7492: Lateral release
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W7430: Reconstruction of lateral collateral ligament complex
- A6110: Excision of lesion of peripheral nerve
- T6580: Tendon graft, or tendon transfer (as sole procedure, not otherwise specified)
- A6600: Release of entrapment of deeply placed peripheral nerve
- W7470: Revision of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction including autograft/allograft
- W8580: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - bilateral
- T6910: Tenolysis, of extensor (not otherwise specified)
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W7452: 2 stage revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction - second stage
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- T7050: Lengthening of tendon(s) or open tenotomy
- W8240: Meniscal allograft transplantation
- W7630: Reconstruction of medial collateral ligament complex
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- W7580: Open surgical stabilisation of patella, including soft tissue/tendon transfer or release, +/- application of cast (adult)
- W7530: Repair of lateral collateral ligament complex
- T6800: Delayed or secondary repair of tendon (including graft, transfer and/or prosthesis) (not otherwise specified)
- S4230: Secondary suture of skin
- T6980: Tenolysis, of flexor tendon (not otherwise specified)
- W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- T7110: Tenosynovectomy
- T7290: Trigger point injection/Enthesis - 1 injection
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W8780: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W0850: Partial excision of bone (including exostoses)
- S5210: Injection into subcutaneous tissue/painful trigger point under local anaesthetic
- W0632: Prosthetic patello-femoral replacement (as sole procedure) – unilateral
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- W8400: Repair of knee ligaments (open or arthroscopic)
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W7583: Repair of patellar/quadricep tendon
- W8180: Arthrotomy of small joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- W5300: Bicompartmental knee resurfacing
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W7410: Multiple ligament reconstruction of knee
- W3110: Osteochondral grafting as a single stage procedure
- W3122: Harvesting for autologous chondrocyte transplantation into knee (including arthroscopy)
- W0700: Excision of ectopic bone
- W4230: Revision of total knee replacement – unilateral
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- W3100: Bone graft (as sole procedure)
- A7350: Local anaesthetic blockade of named major nerve or plexus
Related codes
- W8580: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - bilateral
- W7410: Multiple ligament reconstruction of knee
- W8520: Arthroscopy of knee (including examination under anaesthetic, washout and biopsy) (as sole procedure)
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
Frequently asked questions
What is the procedure code for multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - unilateral?
The procedure code is W8500: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - unilateral.
Which insurers list W8500?
W8500 is listed by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality and WPA. Always confirm the code and cover with your insurer.
Can W8500 be billed with other procedures?
The coding rules say W8500 cannot be billed together with 71 other codes, including A6110 (Excision of lesion of peripheral nerve), A6600 (Release of entrapment of deeply placed peripheral nerve), S4230 (Secondary suture of skin). See the full list above.
About the surgeon
Mr Jakub Kozdryk, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, performs hip and knee replacement and revision surgery at Nuffield Health Warwickshire and Circle Meriden Hospital.
Knee replacement with Mr Kozdryk →Book an appointment with Mr Kozdryk →
For guidance only. Procedure codes and descriptions on this site are provided for general guidance only and are not a guarantee of insurance cover or payment. Always check the correct code with your surgeon's secretary and obtain authorisation from your insurer before treatment. Insurers shown are examples only. Other insurers are available, and each may use the same, similar or different codes and coding rules.
Codes and descriptions are for guidance only. Insurer listing and cover information is taken from each insurer's published schedule and is for guidance only: always confirm the code and cover with the insurer before treatment. This site is not affiliated with CCSD or any insurer. No fees are shown.
Last checked: 2026-10-01