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Official Description

Repair of ruptured musculotendinous cuff (eg, rotator cuff) open; acute

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 23410 involves the open repair of a ruptured musculotendinous cuff, commonly known as the rotator cuff, which is a critical structure in the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff comprises a group of four muscles and their associated tendons: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor. These muscles work together to stabilize the shoulder and facilitate a wide range of motion. When a rupture occurs, it can lead to significant pain, weakness, and loss of function in the shoulder, necessitating surgical intervention. The open repair technique allows the surgeon to directly visualize the damaged area, assess the extent of the injury, and perform necessary repairs to restore the integrity of the rotator cuff. This procedure is typically indicated for acute ruptures, where timely intervention can lead to improved outcomes and recovery for the patient.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Acute Rotator Cuff Rupture The procedure is performed when there is a recent tear in the rotator cuff, which may result from trauma or injury.

2. Procedure

The open repair of a ruptured musculotendinous cuff involves several critical steps to ensure proper restoration of the shoulder's functionality.

  • Step 1: Incision and Exposure The surgeon begins by making an incision over the shoulder joint to gain access to the rotator cuff. This incision allows for direct visualization of the underlying structures, facilitating a thorough examination of the rotator cuff and surrounding tissues.
  • Step 2: Inspection and Preparation Once the rotator cuff is exposed, the underside of the acromion is inspected. If necessary, the acromion is smoothed and flattened using a motorized burr and shaver to prepare the area for repair.
  • Step 3: Evaluation of the Tear The surgeon evaluates the size and pattern of the rotator cuff tear. This assessment is crucial for determining the appropriate repair technique. Any thin or fragmented portions of the rotator cuff are removed to ensure a clean repair site.
  • Step 4: Repair Technique Selection If the tear can be repaired by direct tendon-to-tendon repair, the proximal and distal portions of the ruptured tendon are sutured together. For larger defects, tendon mobilization or advancement of tendon flaps may be necessary to facilitate closure.
  • Step 5: Tendon to Bone Repair In cases where a tendon-to-bone repair is required, the site where the rotator cuff will be reattached to the bone is debrided to create a suitable surface for attachment.
  • Step 6: Closure of Defects Side-to-side stitches may be utilized to initiate closure of larger rotator cuff defects, ensuring that the tissue is properly aligned.
  • Step 7: Anchor Placement Metallic anchors with sutures are placed in the humerus at the site of reattachment. These anchors are recessed below the bone surface, with only the sutures remaining exposed for the next step.
  • Step 8: Suture Tying The sutures are passed through the tendon ends and tied, effectively pulling the tendon down to the prepared bone surface, securing the repair.
  • Step 9: Closure of the Incision After the repair is completed, the incision is closed, and a dressing is applied to protect the surgical site.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care typically involves monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection and ensuring proper healing. Patients may be advised to follow a rehabilitation program to restore shoulder function gradually. This program often includes physical therapy to strengthen the shoulder muscles and improve range of motion. The recovery process may vary depending on the extent of the repair and the individual patient's healing response.

Short Descr REPAIR ROTATOR CUFF ACUTE
Medium Descr OPEN REPAIR OF ROTATOR CUFF ACUTE
Long Descr Repair of ruptured musculotendinous cuff (eg, rotator cuff) open; acute
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) 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply 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) P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 160 - Other therapeutic procedures on muscles and tendons
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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).
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.
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.
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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).
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2003-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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