Muscles, Tendons, Bursae and Ligaments (XK) ICD-10-PCS
The XK body system covers New Technology procedures on muscles, tendons, bursae and ligaments, with 6 ICD-10-PCS codes across 2 root operations, 4 of them billable in fiscal year 2026. Each root operation defines a distinct procedural objective, and the info icons show the official definition with a preview of the codes inside.
Root Operations in This Body System 2 operations · 6 codes
| Chars 1–3 | Root Operation | Codes | Billable |
|---|---|---|---|
| XK0 | IntroductionPutting in or on a therapeutic, diagnostic, nutritional, physiological or prophylactic substance except blood or blood products | 0 | 0 |
| XKU | SupplementPutting in or on biological or synthetic material that physically reinforces and/oraugments the function of a portion of a body part | 6 | 4 |
The info icon shows the official root operation definition and previews the codes in that range.
About the XK Body System
The ICD-10-PCS root operation group Muscles, Tendons, Bursae and Ligaments (code range starting with XK) in the New Technology section involves procedures related to these soft tissue structures. This group includes operations to introduce substances or materials that support or enhance these body parts.
Within this classification, two key operations are highlighted: Introduction and Supplement. The Introduction operation (XK0) refers to placing therapeutic, diagnostic, nutritional, physiological, or prophylactic substances into or onto muscles, tendons, bursae, or ligaments. Importantly, blood or blood products are excluded. Meanwhile, the Supplement operation (XKU) involves inserting biological or synthetic materials designed to physically reinforce or augment the function of these soft tissues. These procedures are essential for enhancing tendon or ligament strength or for delivering treatment substances in a targeted manner. Accurately coding these XK muscles, tendons, bursae and ligaments operations ensures precise documentation of advanced soft tissue interventions.
Questions About This Page
How many codes are in the XK body system?
The XK body system contains 6 ICD-10-PCS codes in FY 2026, organized into 2 root operations. 4 of them are billable on inpatient claims.
What is a root operation?
The root operation is the third character of every ICD-10-PCS code and names the objective of the procedure. Drainage takes fluid out, Excision cuts out a portion of a body part, and Resection removes all of one. Picking the right root operation is the central skill of PCS coding, so each one above carries its official CMS definition.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-PCS order file and code tables, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
