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Official Description

Revision of total shoulder arthroplasty, including allograft when performed; humeral and glenoid component

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 23474 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 and/or glenoid components, which can lead to instability and pain in the shoulder joint. Additionally, severe rotator cuff insufficiency or glenoid bone deficiency may necessitate the revision of the glenoid component. Other indications for this procedure include infection and periprosthetic fractures of the humerus, which can compromise the integrity of the shoulder joint and the effectiveness of the initial arthroplasty. 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 gain adequate exposure. The revision process may involve the replacement or repositioning of the humeral and glenoid components, and in cases where bone defects are present, an allograft may be utilized to ensure a secure fit and restore the structural integrity of the shoulder joint. This comprehensive approach aims to alleviate symptoms and restore function to the shoulder following complications from the initial arthroplasty.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The revision of total shoulder arthroplasty is indicated in the following situations:

  • Loosening of Components The humeral and/or glenoid components may become loose over time, leading to instability and pain.
  • Severe Rotator Cuff Insufficiency This condition may necessitate the revision of the glenoid component to restore shoulder function.
  • Glenoid Bone Deficiency Insufficient bone support for the glenoid component may require surgical intervention to ensure proper fit and stability.
  • Infection The presence of infection around the shoulder joint can compromise the integrity of the arthroplasty, necessitating revision.
  • Periprosthetic Fracture Fractures of the humerus occurring around the prosthetic joint may require revision surgery to address the fracture and restore joint function.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the revision of total shoulder arthroplasty involves several critical steps to ensure successful outcomes:

  • Deltopectoral Approach The surgeon begins by making a deltopectoral incision to access the shoulder joint. This approach allows for optimal exposure of the joint and surrounding structures.
  • Identification of Key Structures The deltopectoral interval is carefully identified, along with the cephalic vein, to avoid complications during the procedure.
  • Retraction of the Conjoint Tendon The conjoint tendon is retracted medially to provide better access to the shoulder joint and facilitate the surgical steps that follow.
  • Release of Scar Tissue Any scar tissue surrounding the joint is released to improve mobility and access to the components that need revision.
  • Incision of the Subscapularis Tendon The subscapularis tendon is incised to allow for further exposure of the joint capsule, which is then opened to access the humeral and glenoid components.
  • Lengthening of the Subscapularis (if necessary) In some cases, the subscapularis tendon may be lengthened using a Z-shaped incision to facilitate better positioning of the components.
  • Revision of the Humeral Component If the humeral component requires revision, the prosthetic humeral head is exposed and removed as necessary. A new humeral head is then placed, or the existing head is repositioned and secured using either a press-fit technique or cement, depending on the component type.
  • Revision of the Glenoid Component If the glenoid component needs revision, it is either removed or repositioned and secured with cement to ensure stability.
  • Preparation and Placement of Bone Allograft If there are bone defects, a bone allograft may be prepared and placed to repair these defects and ensure a secure fit of the glenoid and/or humeral components.
  • Securing the Subscapularis Tendon After the components are secured, the subscapularis tendon is reattached to the humeral neck to restore its function.
  • Closure of the Rotator Interval The rotator interval is then closed to complete the procedure.
  • Placement of Suction Drain A suction drain is placed to prevent fluid accumulation, and the deltopectoral interval is closed around the drain to complete the surgical site closure.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the revision of total shoulder arthroplasty typically involves monitoring for complications such as infection or excessive swelling. Patients may be advised to engage in physical therapy to regain strength and mobility in the shoulder joint. The use of a sling may be recommended to support the arm during the initial recovery phase. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and the stability of the newly positioned components. The duration of recovery can vary based on the extent of the revision and the patient's overall health, but adherence to rehabilitation protocols is crucial for optimal outcomes.

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 and 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 Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
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)
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
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
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.
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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.)
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)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
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
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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2013-01-01 Added Added
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