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Official Description

Closed treatment of shoulder dislocation, with manipulation; without anesthesia

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 23650 refers to the closed treatment of a shoulder dislocation, specifically involving manipulation without the use of anesthesia. In this procedure, the physician performs a closed reduction, which is a non-surgical method to realign the dislocated shoulder joint. Shoulder dislocations can occur in various directions, including anterior, posterior, or inferior, and the classification depends on the direction in which the humeral head has moved out of its normal position in the glenohumeral joint. The manipulation technique utilized by the physician is tailored to the specific type of dislocation and may vary based on the physician's preference and experience. Typically, the procedure involves applying a combination of traction and countertraction, along with internal and/or external rotation of the arm, to guide the humeral head back into its proper anatomical position. After successfully reducing the dislocation, the physician conducts a thorough neurovascular examination to assess the integrity of the surrounding nerves and blood vessels. Following this assessment, the shoulder is immobilized using a sling, swathe, or shoulder immobilizer to ensure stability during the healing process. It is important to note that this code is specifically used when the closed reduction is performed without anesthesia; if anesthesia is required, the appropriate code to use would be 23655.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The closed treatment of shoulder dislocation with manipulation, as described by CPT® Code 23650, is indicated for patients presenting with a dislocated shoulder. The specific indications for this procedure include:

  • Shoulder Dislocation The primary indication for this procedure is the occurrence of a shoulder dislocation, which may be classified as anterior, posterior, or inferior based on the direction of the dislocation.
  • Acute Injury This procedure is typically performed in cases of acute shoulder dislocation resulting from trauma, such as falls, sports injuries, or accidents.
  • Inability to Move the Arm Patients who are unable to move their arm due to the dislocation may require this procedure to restore function and alleviate pain.

2. Procedure

The procedure for closed treatment of a shoulder dislocation with manipulation involves several key steps, which are detailed as follows:

  • Step 1: Patient Assessment The physician begins by assessing the patient’s condition, including a thorough history and physical examination to confirm the diagnosis of shoulder dislocation. This assessment may include evaluating the range of motion, pain levels, and any associated neurovascular deficits.
  • Step 2: Positioning The patient is positioned appropriately to facilitate the manipulation of the shoulder. This may involve placing the patient in a seated or supine position, depending on the physician's preference and the specific dislocation type.
  • Step 3: Application of Traction The physician applies gentle traction to the arm to help relieve muscle spasms and facilitate the reduction process. This traction is often combined with countertraction to stabilize the shoulder girdle.
  • Step 4: Manipulation Technique The physician employs a specific manipulation technique, which may include internal and/or external rotation of the arm, to guide the humeral head back into the glenoid cavity. The technique used will depend on the direction of the dislocation and the physician's clinical judgment.
  • Step 5: Confirmation of Reduction Once the manipulation is complete, the physician checks for successful reduction by assessing the shoulder's range of motion and performing a neurovascular examination to ensure that there are no complications.
  • Step 6: Immobilization After confirming that the shoulder has been successfully reduced, the physician immobilizes the shoulder using a sling, swathe, or shoulder immobilizer to maintain stability and support during the healing process.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the closed treatment of a shoulder dislocation with manipulation, the patient is typically advised on post-procedure care. This includes instructions for immobilization of the shoulder to prevent re-dislocation and promote healing. The physician may recommend follow-up appointments to monitor the recovery process and assess the shoulder's function. Patients are often advised to avoid strenuous activities and movements that could stress the shoulder joint during the initial recovery phase. Pain management strategies may also be discussed, and the physician may provide guidance on when to gradually resume normal activities, including physical therapy if necessary, to restore strength and range of motion.

Short Descr CLTX SHO DSLC W/MNPJ WO ANES
Medium Descr CLSD TX SHOULDER DISLC W/MANIPULATION W/O ANES
Long Descr Closed treatment of shoulder dislocation, with manipulation; without anesthesia
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) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
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) P6B - Minor procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 148 - Other fracture and dislocation procedure
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.
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)
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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.
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).
47 Anesthesia by surgeon: regional or general anesthesia provided by the surgeon may be reported by adding modifier 47 to the basic service. (this does not include local anesthesia.) note: modifier 47 would not be used as a modifier for the anesthesia procedures.
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).
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.
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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 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).
AG Primary physician
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
ER Items and services furnished by a provider-based, off-campus emergency department
F2 Left hand, third digit
F4 Left hand, fifth digit
F5 Right hand, thumb
F9 Right hand, fifth digit
FS Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit
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
PN Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
QS Monitored anesthesia care service
QX Crna service: with medical direction by a physician
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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
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2023-01-01 Note Short description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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