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Official Description

Acromioplasty or acromionectomy, partial, with or without coracoacromial ligament release

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 23130 involves a surgical intervention known as acromioplasty or acromionectomy, which can be performed partially and may include the release of the coracoacromial ligament. This operation is typically indicated for patients experiencing shoulder pain or dysfunction due to impingement or other conditions affecting the acromion, a bony structure on the shoulder blade. During the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision along the Langer's lines, which are natural skin creases that help minimize scarring, starting from the anterior edge of the acromion and extending laterally near the coracoid process of the scapula. The deltoid muscle, which covers the shoulder, is carefully split to access the underlying structures. The surgeon then shaves the undersurface of the acromion to alleviate any impingement and may remove a wedge-shaped piece of bone from the acromion to create more space for the shoulder joint. If necessary, the coracoacromial ligament, which can contribute to shoulder impingement, is released from its attachment. Finally, the deltoid muscle is repaired and reattached to ensure proper function and stability of the shoulder post-surgery.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Shoulder Impingement Syndrome - A condition where the rotator cuff tendons are intermittently trapped and compressed during shoulder movements.
  • Subacromial Bursitis - Inflammation of the bursa located beneath the acromion, leading to pain and restricted movement.
  • Rotator Cuff Tears - Partial tears in the rotator cuff that may require decompression to alleviate symptoms.
  • Acromial Osteophytes - Bone spurs on the acromion that can cause pain and limit shoulder mobility.

2. Procedure

The procedure consists of several key steps that are performed to achieve the desired outcome:

  • Step 1: Incision An incision is made along the Langer's lines, starting from the anterior edge of the acromion and extending laterally to the coracoid process of the scapula. This approach is designed to minimize scarring and facilitate access to the surgical site.
  • Step 2: Deltoid Muscle Splitting The deltoid muscle is carefully split, beginning approximately 5 cm distal to the acromioclavicular joint. This is done in the direction of the muscle fibers to preserve its function and integrity.
  • Step 3: Shaving the Acromion The undersurface of the anterior aspect of the acromion is shaved to remove any impinging bone and to create a smoother surface for the rotator cuff tendons.
  • Step 4: Dissection of the Deltoid The deltoid muscle is dissected off the anterior aspect of the acromion and the acromioclavicular joint capsule, ensuring that the stump of the deltoid's tendinous origin is preserved to maintain muscle function.
  • Step 5: Resection of Bone A wedge-shaped piece of bone is resected from the underside of the acromion to relieve pressure on the rotator cuff and improve shoulder mobility.
  • Step 6: Release of the Coracoacromial Ligament The coracoacromial ligament is released from its attachment on the acromion as needed, which can help alleviate shoulder impingement symptoms.
  • Step 7: Repair of the Deltoid Muscle Finally, the deltoid muscle is repaired by reattaching it to the acromioclavicular joint capsule, the trapezius muscle, and its tendon of origin to restore shoulder function and stability.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care typically involves monitoring for any complications, managing pain, and initiating rehabilitation exercises as directed by the physician. Patients may be advised to limit shoulder movement for a specified period to allow for proper healing. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess recovery progress and to ensure that the shoulder is regaining strength and mobility. Physical therapy may be recommended to facilitate rehabilitation and to restore full function to the shoulder joint.

Short Descr ACROMP/ACROMIONECTOMY PRTL
Medium Descr ACROMIOPLASTY/ACROMIONECTOMY PRTL +-LIGAMENT RLS
Long Descr Acromioplasty or acromionectomy, partial, with or without coracoacromial ligament release
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required...
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 142 - Partial excision bone
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
Date
Action
Notes
2025-01-01 Changed Short and Medium Descriptions changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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