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Official Description

Open treatment of proximal humeral (surgical or anatomical neck) fracture, includes internal fixation, when performed, includes repair of tuberosity(s), when performed; with proximal humeral prosthetic replacement

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

An open treatment of a proximal humeral fracture, specifically at the surgical or anatomical neck, involves a surgical procedure that aims to restore the integrity and function of the shoulder joint. This procedure is indicated when a fracture occurs in the upper arm bone (humerus) near the shoulder, which can significantly impact mobility and quality of life. The treatment includes the use of a proximal humeral prosthetic replacement, which is a type of artificial joint designed to replace the damaged portion of the humerus. Additionally, the procedure may involve internal fixation techniques to stabilize the fracture and repair of the tuberosities, which are bony prominences that serve as attachment points for muscles and tendons around the shoulder. The surgical approach typically requires an incision over the fracture site to access the bone directly, allowing for precise manipulation and repair of the fractured area. The procedure is comprehensive, addressing both the fracture and any associated soft tissue injuries, ensuring that the shoulder can regain its strength and functionality post-surgery.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The open treatment of a proximal humeral fracture is indicated for patients presenting with specific conditions related to the fracture of the humeral neck. These indications include:

  • Proximal Humeral Fracture A fracture occurring at the surgical or anatomical neck of the humerus, which may result from trauma or falls.
  • Displacement of Fracture Fragments Fractures that are displaced and cannot be adequately managed through non-surgical means.
  • Failure of Conservative Treatment Patients who have not responded to conservative management options, such as immobilization or physical therapy.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the open treatment of a proximal humeral fracture involves several detailed steps to ensure proper alignment and stabilization of the bone. The steps include:

  • Incision and Exposure An incision is made over the fracture site to provide direct access to the humerus. The long head of the biceps tendon is identified and tagged for later reference, and a tenotomy is performed to facilitate access to the fracture line.
  • Fracture Line Exposure The fracture line is carefully exposed to allow for the placement of sutures. Four mattress sutures are placed around the greater tuberosity at the bone-tendon junction of the infraspinatus and teres minor tendons to secure the area.
  • Retracting Tuberosities The tuberosities are retracted to gain a clear view of the fracture site. The greater tuberosity is measured to ensure proper alignment during reconstruction.
  • Excising Biceps Origin The origin of the long head of the biceps is excised, and any bone fragments from the humeral head are removed to prepare for the prosthetic replacement.
  • Prosthesis Selection The humeral head is measured, and a properly sized prosthesis is selected based on these measurements. A bone graft is procured from the bone fragments to assist in the reconstruction.
  • Preparing the Medullary Canal The medullary canal of the humeral shaft is prepared for the prosthesis by reaming, ensuring a proper fit for the implant.
  • Testing Prosthesis Fit The selected prosthesis is placed into the medullary canal to test the fit, ensuring that the normal humeral height is recreated.
  • Drilling and Suturing Drill holes are placed in the proximal humeral shaft, and sutures are inserted into these holes in preparation for tuberosity fixation.
  • Cementing the Prosthesis The stem of the humeral prosthesis is cemented into place to provide stability and support.
  • Reconstructing Tuberosities The lesser and greater tuberosities are reconstructed and fixed to the shaft, the prosthesis, and to each other to restore the anatomical structure of the shoulder.
  • Placing Bone Graft A bone graft is placed in the window of the fracture prosthesis under the greater tuberosity and under the medial edge of the prosthetic head to promote healing.
  • Tying Mattress Sutures Two of the previously placed mattress sutures are passed around the prosthetic neck and tied down, while the other two are passed around the humeral neck, through the subscapularis tendon, and tied down to secure the reconstruction.
  • Creating Tension Tension band sutures are placed through the humeral shaft to create vertical tension on the osteosynthesis complex, enhancing stability.
  • Repairing Rotator Cuff Finally, the rotator cuff is repaired, and the biceps tendon is reattached to restore function and mobility to the shoulder.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection and ensuring proper healing of the bone and soft tissues. Patients are typically advised on rehabilitation protocols, which may include physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion in the shoulder. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and the functionality of the prosthetic replacement. Pain management strategies will also be discussed to ensure patient comfort during recovery.

Short Descr OPTX PRX HMRL FX FIX RPR RPL
Medium Descr OPTX PROX HUMRL FX W/INT FIXJ RPR TUBRST RPLCMT
Long Descr Open treatment of proximal humeral (surgical or anatomical neck) fracture, includes internal fixation, when performed, includes repair of tuberosity(s), when performed; with proximal humeral prosthetic replacement
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) 2 - Co-surgeons permitted and no documentation required if the two- specialty requirement is met.
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 148 - Other fracture and dislocation procedure
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).
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).
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).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
Date
Action
Notes
2023-01-01 Note Short and medium descriptions changed.
2008-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2001-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
1993-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1993.
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