© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 23473 refers to the revision of a total shoulder arthroplasty, which is a surgical intervention aimed at correcting issues related to previously implanted shoulder components. This revision may be necessary due to various complications such as loosening of the humeral or glenoid components, severe rotator cuff insufficiency, glenoid bone deficiency, infection, or periprosthetic fractures of the humerus. The surgical approach typically involves a deltopectoral incision, allowing the surgeon to access the shoulder joint effectively. During the procedure, the surgeon may encounter and address scar tissue, retraction of the conjoint tendon, and the need to incise the subscapularis tendon to facilitate access to the joint capsule. The revision process may involve the removal or repositioning of the humeral and/or glenoid components, with the potential use of bone allografts to repair any bone defects. This ensures a secure fit for the new or repositioned components, ultimately aiming to restore shoulder function and alleviate pain for the patient.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The revision of total shoulder arthroplasty, as indicated by CPT® Code 23473, is performed under specific circumstances that necessitate surgical intervention. These indications include:
The procedure for the revision of total shoulder arthroplasty involves several critical steps to ensure successful outcomes. The surgical approach begins with a deltopectoral incision, which allows for optimal access to the shoulder joint. The surgeon identifies the deltopectoral interval and the cephalic vein, ensuring that these structures are preserved during the procedure. The conjoint tendon is then retracted medially to provide a clear view of the joint. Scar tissue surrounding the shoulder joint is meticulously released to facilitate access to the underlying structures. The subscapularis tendon is incised, and the joint capsule is opened to expose the humeral and glenoid components. In cases where the humeral component requires revision, the surgeon carefully exposes the prosthetic humeral head, which may need to be removed depending on the condition of the implant. A new humeral head is then placed, or the existing one is repositioned and secured using either a press-fit technique or cement, depending on the specific type of component being utilized. If the glenoid component is found to be defective, it is either removed or repositioned and secured with cement to ensure stability. Additionally, if there are any bone defects present, a bone allograft may be prepared and placed to repair these defects, providing a secure fit for the glenoid and/or humeral components. Once the components are secured, the subscapularis tendon is reattached to the humeral neck, and the rotator interval is closed. A suction drain is placed to manage any postoperative fluid accumulation, and finally, the deltopectoral interval is closed around the drain to complete the procedure.
After the revision of total shoulder arthroplasty, patients can expect a recovery period that may involve pain management, physical therapy, and monitoring for any complications. The use of a suction drain helps to minimize fluid accumulation and reduce the risk of infection. Patients are typically advised to follow specific rehabilitation protocols to restore shoulder function gradually. The duration of recovery can vary based on the extent of the revision and the patient's overall health, but close follow-up with the surgical team is essential to ensure proper healing and to address any concerns that may arise during the recovery process.
Short Descr | REVIS RECONST SHOULDER JOINT | Medium Descr | REVIS SHOULDER ARTHRPLSTY HUMERAL/GLENOID COMPNT | Long Descr | Revision of total shoulder arthroplasty, including allograft when performed; humeral or glenoid component | 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 | 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 |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
20704 | Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery device(s), intra-articular (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 20705 | Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Removal of drug-delivery device(s), intra-articular (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 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. | 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). | 54 | Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number. | 55 | Postoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the postoperative management and another performed the surgical procedure, the postoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 55 to the usual procedure number. | 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. | 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). | 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). | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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 | X4 | Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 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
|
---|---|---|
2013-01-01 | Added | Added |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.