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MRI Lower Extremity (Ankle, Foot, Knee, Hip, Leg) (Joint and Other Than Joint) - CAM 721

Description
Magnetic resonance imaging shows the soft tissues and bones. With its multiplanar capabilities, high contrast and high spatial resolution, it is an accurate diagnostic tool for conditions affecting the joint and adjacent structures. MRI can positively influence clinicians’ diagnoses and management plans for patients with conditions such as primary bone cancer, fractures, abnormalities in ligaments/tendons/cartilage, septic arthritis and infection/inflammation.

OVERVIEW
Conservative Therapy: (Musculoskeletal) should include a multimodality approach consisting of a combination of active and inactive components. Inactive components such as rest, ice, heat, modified activities, medical devices, (including crutches, immobilizer, metal braces, orthotics, rigid stabilizer or splints, etc. and not to include neoprene sleeves), medications, injections (bursal, and/or joint, not including trigger point), and diathermy can be utilized.

Active modalities may consist of physical therapy, a physician-supervised home exercise program** and/or chiropractic care.

**Home Exercise Program (HEP) — The following two elements are required to meet guidelines for completion of conservative therapy: 

  • Information provided on exercise prescription/plan AND
  • Follow-up with member with information provided regarding completion of HEP (after suitable 4-week period), or inability to complete HEP due to physical reason, i.e., increased pain, inability to physically perform exercises. (Patient inconvenience or noncompliance without explanation does not constitute “inability to complete” HEP).

Joint Implants and Hardware — The presence of a metallic implant or metallic fixation device does not represent a contraindication to MRI. More recently, the advent of implants made with less ferromagnetic alloys and technical advancements of MR sequences (metal artifact reduction sequences [MARS], slice encoding for metal artifact correction [SEMAC], and multi- acquisition with variable-resonance image combination [MAVRIC]) made MRI fully feasible in patients with joint implants, with artifacts mostly limited to the area of the implant itself (Glaudemans, 2019).

Stress Fractures — “Certain stress fractures are considered high risk based on a tendency for nonunion or delayed union. High-risk stress fractures include the anterior tibial diaphysis, lateral femoral neck and femoral head…patella, medial malleolus, navicular, fifth metatarsal base, proximal second metatarsal, tibial hallux sesamoid, and talus. The second-line test to diagnose a stress fracture should be guided by the location of the patient’s pain and likelihood of high-risk injury. A follow-up radiographic examination has increased sensitivity compared to initial radiographs but is less sensitive than MRI (Bencardino, 2017).”

MRI and Knee Trauma —MRI is an effective means of evaluating internal derangements of the knee with a very high accuracy for detection of meniscal injury. On MRI of the knee, meniscal injury may appear “free-floating”, corresponding to a meniscal avulsion or detachment from the tibial plateau. The floating meniscus seen on MRI is a result of significant trauma. It may also be associated with significant ligamentous injury. The results of the MRI are valuable to the surgeon as they plan to reattach the meniscus to the tibial plateau.

MRI and Osteonecrosis — Osteonecrosis is a complication of knee surgery which may be accompanied by new or persistent pain after meniscal surgery. It can be detected by MRI with subcortical low signal intensity of T1-weighted images with or without central high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Osteonecrosis can result in collapse of the articular surface.

MRI and Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LPD) — This childhood condition is associated with an insufficient blood supply to the femoral head which is then at risk for osteonecrosis. Clinical signs of LPD include a limp with groin, thigh or knee pain. Flexion and adduction contractures may develop as the disease progresses and eventually movement may only occur in the flexion extension plane. This condition is staged based on plain radiographic findings. MRI is used in identifying the early stage of LPD when plain films are normal. It is also used in preoperative planning to diagnose “hinge abduction” (lateral side of the femoral head contacts theacetabular margin and femoral head does not slide as it should). However, MRI is not used as a standard diagnostic tool.

MRI and Septic Arthritis — Young children and older adults are the most likely to develop septic arthritis in the hip joint. Early symptoms include pain in the hip, groin, or thigh along with a limping gait and fever. It is sometimes hard to differentiate this condition from transient synovitis, a less serious condition with no known long-term sequelae. MRI may help in the differential diagnosis of these two conditions. Coronal T1-weighted MRI, performed immediately after contrast administration, can evaluate blood perfusion at the femoral epiphysis.

MRI and Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis — This condition, where the femoral head is displaced in relation to the femoral neck, is the most common hip disorder in adolescents, and it is more common in obese children. Its symptoms include a limping gait, groin pain, thigh pain and knee pain. Most cases are stable, and the prognosis is good with early diagnosis and treatment. Unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis may lead to avascular necrosis. MRI is used for diagnosis of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Its image can be oriented to a plane orthogonal to the plane of the physis to detect edema in the area of the physis.

MRI and Tarsal Coalition — This is a congenital condition in which two or more bones in the midfoot or hindfoot are joined. It usually presents during late childhood or late adolescence and is associated with repetitive ankle sprains. Mild pain, deep in the subtalar joint and limited range of motion are clinical symptoms. Tarsal coalition is detectable on oblique radiographs, but these are not routinely obtained at many institutions. Clinical diagnosis is not simple; it requires the expertise of skilled examiners. MRI is valuable in diagnosing tarsal coalition because it allows differentiation of osseous from non-osseous coalitions and depicts the extent of joint involvement as well as degenerative changes. It may also detect overgrowth of the medial aspect of the talus that may be associated with talocalcaneal coalitions.

MRI and Tarsal Tunnel — Tarsal tunnel syndrome is due to compression of the posterior tibial nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel into the foot. Compression can cause a sensation of burning or numbness to the bottom of the foot. Common causes include flat foot, over-protonation and arthritis. Nerve conduction studies can reveal damage to the posterior tibial nerve. MRI may be valuable in demonstrating other structures causing extrinsic compression on the nerve (Glaser, 2016).

MRI and Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis — This noninfectious inflammation of the bone in children can have non-elevated inflammatory markers and a normal CBC. This condition presents as bone pain of insidious onset with or without localized swelling but can be multifocal and have silent areas of involvement (vertebral silent lesions can lead to compression). MRI can be approved after initial labs and X-ray. CT is not sensitive, so the next option is a bone scan.

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Choosing Wisely Guidelines advise against ordering a knee MRI for a patient with anterior knee pain without mechanical symptoms or effusion unless the patient has not improved following completion of an appropriate functional rehabilitation program. “The most common cause of anterior knee pain is patellofemoral pain syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is rarely helpful in managing this syndrome. Treatment should focus on a guided exercise program to correct lumbopelvic and lower limb strength and flexibility imbalances. If pain persists, if there is recurrent swelling or if mechanical symptoms such as locking and painful clicking are present, and radiographs are non-diagnostic, an MRI may be useful (AMSSM, 2014).”

The American Academy of Pediatrics Choosing Wisely Guidelines advise against ordering advanced imaging studies (MRI or CT) for most musculoskeletal conditions in a child until all appropriate clinical, laboratory and plain radiographic examinations have been completed. “History, physical examination, and appropriate radiographs remain the primary diagnostic modalities in pediatric orthopaedics, as they are both diagnostic and prognostic for the great majority of pediatric musculoskeletal conditions. Examples of such conditions would include, but not be limited to, the work up of injury or pain (spine, knees, and ankles), possible infection, and deformity. MRI examinations and other advanced imaging studies frequently require sedation in the young child (5 years old or less) and may not result in appropriate interpretation if clinical correlations cannot be made. Many conditions require specific MRI sequences or protocols best ordered by the specialist who will be treating the patient … if you believe findings warrant additional advanced imaging, discuss with the consulting orthopaedic surgeon to make sure the optimal studies are ordered (AAP, 2018).”

Policy 
INDICATIONS FOR LOWER EXTREMITY MRI (FOOT, ANKLE, KNEE, LEG or HIP)
(Plain radiographs must precede MRI evaluation)

Some indications are for MRI, CT, or MR or CT Arthrogram. More than one should not be approved at the same time.

If an MR Arthrogram fits approvable criteria below, approve as MRI

Joint specific provocative orthopedic examination1
Note: With a positive orthopedic sign, an initial X-ray is always preferred. However, it is not required to approve advanced imaging (see Table 1).

  • Ankle
    • Unstable syndesmotic injury (high ankle injury)
      • With inconclusive stress X-rays and a standing CT cannot be done
      • Can have positive fibular translation, squeeze or cotton test, but imaging may be needed to confirm diagnosis
  • Knee2,3,4,5,6,7
    • Joint instability or meniscal injury on exam, demonstrated with a positive
      • McMurray’s
      • Apley’s
      • Lachman’s
      • Anterior or Posterior Drawer sign
      • Varus or valgus stress
      • Acute mechanical locking of the knee not due to guarding8
  • Hip
    • Anterior Impingement sign (labral tear)9,10,11
    • Posterior Impingement sign (labral tear)12

Joint or muscle pain without positive findings on an orthopedic exam as listed above, after X-ray completed4,13,14 (does not apply to young children).

  • Persistent joint or musculotendinous pain unresponsive to conservative treatment*, within the last six months which includes active medical therapy (physical therapy, chiropractic treatments, and/or physician supervised exercise**) of at least four weeks, OR
  • With progression or worsening of symptoms during the course of conservative treatment
  • Persistent hip mechanical symptoms including clicking, locking, catching, giving way or hip instability with a clinical suspicion of labral tear, with or without clinical findings suggestive of impingement12,15

Ankle instability and suspected anterior talofibular ligament rupture (anterior and posterior drawer tests) as a result of a sprain requires initial active conservative therapy (above) and X-ray

Painful acquired or congenital flatfoot deformity in an adult, after X-ray completed

  • After failure of active conservative therapy listed above16,17

Extremity Mass

  • Mass or lesion after non-diagnostic x-ray or ultrasound18
    • Baker’s cyst should be initially evaluated with ultrasound
    • If superficial mass, then ultrasound is the initial study
    • If deep mass, then X-ray is the initial study

Known Cancer of the Extremity19,20,21,22,23

  • Cancer staging
  • Cancer restaging
  • Signs or symptoms of recurrence

Infection of Bone or Joint24,25,26

  • Abnormal X-ray or ultrasound
  • Negative X-ray but with a clinical suspicion of infection
    • Signs and symptoms of joint or bone infection include:
      • Pain and swelling.
      • Decreased range of motion.
      • Fevers.
    • Laboratory findings of infection include:
      • Elevated ESR or CRP.
      • Elevated white blood cell count.
      • Positive joint aspiration.
      • Ulcer (diabetic, pressure, ischemic, traumatic) with signs of infection (redness, warm, swelling, pain, discharge which may range from white to serosanguineous) that is not improving despite treatment and bone or deep infection is suspected.
      • Increased suspicion if size or temperature increases, bone is exposed/positive probe-to-bone test, new areas of breakdown, new smell27
      • Neuropathic foot with friable or discolored granulation tissue, foul odor, non-purulent discharge, and delayed wound healing28

Osteonecrosis (e.g., Avascular Necrosis [AVN], Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease)29,30,31

  • Abnormal X-ray
  • Normal or indeterminate X-rays, but symptomatic and high risk
    • Glucocorticosteroid use
    • Renal transplant recipient
    • Alcohol abuse32
    • Sickle cell anemia33

For evaluation of known or suspected autoimmune disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)34

  • Further evaluation of an abnormality or non-diagnostic findings on prior imaging
  • Initial imaging of a single joint for diagnosis or response to therapy after plain films and appropriate lab tests (e.g., RF, ANA, CRP, ESR)
  • To determine change in treatment or when diagnosis is uncertain prior to start of treatment
  • Follow-up to determine treatment efficacy of the following:
    • Early rheumatoid arthritis
    • Advanced rheumatoid arthritis if X-ray and ultrasound are equivocal or noncontributory

Trauma
Bone Fracture

  • Suspected stress or insufficiency fracture with a negative initial X-ray35,36:
    • If hips, then approve an immediate MRI.
    • Suspicion of a hip fracture in a pregnant patient does not require an initial X-ray.
    • Non-hip extremities: If X-rays, taken 10 – 14 days after the injury or clinical assessment, are negative or nondiagnostic.37
    • If at high risk for a complete fracture with conservative therapy (e.g., navicular bone), then immediate MRI is warranted.38
  • Suspected acute hip fracture with initial X-rays negative or non-diagnostic.11,39
  • Pathologic fracture on X-ray40
  • Intra-articular fractures that may require surgery (e.g., depressed tibial plateau fracture)41
  • Nonunion or delayed union as demonstrated by no healing between two sets of X-rays. If a fracture has not healed by 4 – 6 months, there is delayed union. Incomplete healing by 6 – 8 months is nonunion; CT is the preferred study42

Tendon or Muscle Rupture after X-Ray43,44,45,46

  • Clinical suspicion based on mechanism of injury and physical findings

Suspected ACL Rupture —Acute knee injury with physical exam limited by pain and swelling with x-ray completed47,48

  • Based on mechanism of injury, i.e., twisting, blunt force
  • Normal X-ray:
    • Extreme pain, inability to stand, audible pop at time of injury, very swollen joint, leg numbness
  • Abnormal X-ray:
    • Large joint effusion on X-ray knee effusion

Osteochondral lesions (defects, fractures, osteochondritis dissecans) and X-ray completed2,15,49,50

  • Clinical suspicion based on mechanism of injury and physical findings

Foreign Body51

  • Indeterminate X-ray and ultrasound

Loose bodies or synovial chondromatosis seen on X-ray or ultrasound

  • In the setting of joint pain52

Hip Impingement (Femoroacetabular Impingement)

  • With negative, equivocal, or non-diagnostic X-rays15 (and imaging would change treatment; active conservative care or surgery are the two mainstays of treatment)53
  • To determine candidacy for hip preservation surgery54

Known or suspected inflammatory myopathies: (includes polymyositis, dermatomyositis, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, inclusion body myositis)55,56

  • For diagnosis
  • For biopsy planning

Peripheral Nerve Entrapment (e.g., tarsal tunnel, Morton’s neuroma)57,58,59,60

  • Abnormal electromyogram or nerve conduction study
  • Abnormal X-ray or ultrasound
  • Clinical suspicion and failed four weeks conservative treatment including at least two of the following (active treatment with physical therapy is not required):
    • Activity modification
    • Rest ice, or heat
    • Splinting or orthotics
    • Medication

Pediatrics

  • Painful flatfoot deformity with suspected tarsal coalition, not responsive to active conservative care61
  • Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis with negative frog leg and AP x-rays of the hips but clinically suspected62,63,64
    • Drehman sign
    • Limited internal rotation of the hip
    • Consider imaging the asymptomatic contralateral hip with a normal X-ray to detect early SCFE if prophylactic surgery is planned65
  • Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis after initial work-up (labs and X-ray)66
  • Acute limp in a child 5 or less years old, concern for infection (initial X-rays not needed)67
  • There is no relevant literature regarding the use of MRI pelvis to the feet in the initial evaluation of acute limp with nonlocalized symptoms and no concern for infection.
  • Osteoid osteoma — MRI not usually done because X-ray and CT more accurate for diagnosis68

Preoperative/procedural evaluation

  • Preoperative evaluation for a planned surgery or procedure

Post-operative/procedural evaluation

  • When imaging, physical or laboratory findings indicate joint infection, delayed or non-healing or other surgical/procedural complications
  • Joint prosthesis loosening or dysfunction, X-rays non-diagnostic69,70
  • Trendelenburg sign71 or other indication of muscle or nerve damage after recent hip surgery

Table 1: Positive Orthopedic Joint Tests, Lower Extremity

ANKLE Fibular translation
  Squeeze
  Cotton
  Thompson
  Thumb squeeze test
  Mulder click
HIP  
KNEE Anterior draw
  Pivot Shift Test
  Lachman
  Posterior tibial Sag
  Posterior Draw
  McMurray’s Test
  Valgus stress
  Varus stress
  Ege

References 

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  3. American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM). Choosing Wisely®. http://www.choosingwisely.org/clinician-lists/american-medical-society-sports-medicine-knee-mri-for-anterior-knee-pain/. Released April 5, 2014.
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Coding Section 

Codes

Number

Description

CPT

73718

Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, lower extremity other than joint; without contrast material(s)

 

73719

with contrast material(s)

 

73720

without contrast material(s), followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences

 

73721 

Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, any joint of lower extremity; without contrast material

 

73722 

with contrast material(s) 

 

73723 

without contrast material(s), followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences

Procedure and diagnosis codes on Medical Policy documents are included only as a general reference tool for each policy. They may not be all-inclusive. 

This medical policy was developed through consideration of peer-reviewed medical literature generally recognized by the relevant medical community, U.S. FDA approval status, nationally accepted standards of medical practice and accepted standards of medical practice in this community, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association technology assessment program (TEC) and other nonaffiliated technology evaluation centers, reference to federal regulations, other plan medical policies, and accredited national guidelines.

"Current Procedural Terminology © American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved" 

History From 2019 Forward 

12/06/2022 Annual review, no change to policy intent. Policy updated for specificity and clarity.
12/06/2021  Annual review, adding policy verbiage related to unstable syndesmotic injury, navicular bone to hgh risk stress fracture, suspected bone infection in the setting of ulcers and neuropathy, following treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, clarifying pre and post operative statements. Also updating description and references. 
12/01/2020  Annual review, added policy verbiage for pediatrics, loose bodies, delayed union, flatfoot, labral tear and joint implants/hardware. Also updating description and references. 
12/17/2019       NEW POLICY
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