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Official Description

Arthroplasty, glenohumeral joint; hemiarthroplasty

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A hemiarthroplasty of the glenohumeral joint, designated by CPT® Code 23470, is a surgical procedure that involves the replacement of the humeral head with a prosthetic implant. This procedure is typically indicated for patients with severe shoulder joint damage due to conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or traumatic injury, where the glenoid (the socket of the shoulder joint) remains intact. Unlike a total shoulder arthroplasty, which involves the replacement of both the humeral head and the glenoid surface, hemiarthroplasty focuses solely on the humeral component. The surgery is performed through a deltopectoral approach, which allows for optimal exposure of the shoulder joint. During the procedure, the surgeon carefully navigates through the deltopectoral interval, identifies the cephalic vein, and retracts the conjoint tendon to access the joint. The subscapularis tendon is incised, and the joint capsule is opened to facilitate the removal of the damaged humeral head and the placement of the prosthetic implant. This procedure aims to alleviate pain and restore function in the shoulder, enabling patients to regain mobility and improve their quality of life.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The hemiarthroplasty of the glenohumeral joint is indicated for several specific conditions and symptoms, including:

  • Severe Osteoarthritis - A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, leading to pain and reduced mobility in the shoulder.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis - An autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the joints, resulting in pain, swelling, and potential joint damage.
  • Traumatic Shoulder Injury - Injuries such as fractures or dislocations that severely damage the humeral head but leave the glenoid intact.
  • Rotator Cuff Tear - Significant tears in the rotator cuff that may lead to joint instability and pain, particularly when associated with humeral head degeneration.

2. Procedure

The procedure for hemiarthroplasty of the glenohumeral joint involves several critical steps, which are detailed as follows:

  • Step 1: Surgical Approach - The surgeon begins by making an incision using the deltopectoral approach, which provides access to the shoulder joint. The deltopectoral interval is identified, and the cephalic vein is carefully located and retracted medially to avoid injury.
  • Step 2: Joint Exposure - The conjoint tendon is retracted, and the subscapularis tendon is incised to open the joint capsule. This step is crucial for gaining access to the humeral head.
  • Step 3: Humeral Head Removal - Once the joint is accessed, the humeral head is exposed, and the attachments of the subscapularis tendon on the proximal humeral head are released. The humeral head is then dislocated, and the arm is externally rotated to facilitate its removal.
  • Step 4: Preparation for Implantation - The damaged humeral head is cut and removed using an oscillating saw. Any osteophytes (bone spurs) on the remaining humeral head are excised to prepare the site for the prosthetic implant.
  • Step 5: Sizing and Drilling - A template is used to size the excised portion of the humeral head accurately. A pilot hole is created in the humeral shaft, followed by reaming to achieve the desired width and depth for the prosthetic stem.
  • Step 6: Trial Implantation - A trial prosthetic stem and head are inserted into the prepared site, and the joint is reduced to evaluate the range of motion. This step ensures that the fit and function of the implant are appropriate.
  • Step 7: Final Implantation - After evaluating the trial implant, the joint is dislocated again, and the trial implant is removed. The anterior humeral neck is drilled, and sutures are placed to secure the final prosthetic implant, which is then inserted and secured with sutures and bone cement as necessary.
  • Step 8: Closure - The subscapularis tendon is secured to the humeral neck, and the rotator interval is closed. A suction drain is placed to prevent fluid accumulation, and the deltopectoral interval is closed around the drain to complete the procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a hemiarthroplasty of the glenohumeral joint typically involves monitoring for complications, managing pain, and initiating rehabilitation. Patients are usually advised to keep the shoulder immobilized for a specified period to allow for proper healing. Physical therapy is often recommended to restore range of motion and strength gradually. The healthcare team will provide specific instructions regarding activity restrictions and follow-up appointments to assess the healing process and the function of the prosthetic implant.

Short Descr RECONSTRUCT SHOULDER JOINT
Medium Descr ARTHROPLASTY GLENOHUMRL JT HEMIARTHROPLASTY
Long Descr Arthroplasty, glenohumeral joint; hemiarthroplasty
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 Device-intensive procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later; paid at adjusted rate.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 154 - Arthroplasty other than hip or knee
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
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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).
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
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).
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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