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Official Description

Tenotomy, adductor of hip, open

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 27001 refers to an open tenotomy of the adductor muscle of the hip. The adductor muscle group is situated on the medial, or inner, side of the hip joint and plays a crucial role in the movement and stabilization of the hip. An adductor tenotomy is a surgical intervention that involves cutting the tendon of the adductor muscle to relieve conditions such as congenital hip dislocation or adduction contracture, which may occur in patients with spastic type cerebral palsy. This procedure is particularly indicated when there is a need to correct the positioning of the femoral head within the acetabulum, the socket of the hip joint. Unlike the percutaneous approach described in CPT® Code 27000, which involves a minimally invasive technique with a stab incision, the open tenotomy performed under CPT® Code 27001 requires a larger incision to directly access and expose the tendon. Following the incision, the adductor tendon is carefully incised, allowing for the repositioning of the femoral head into the acetabulum. After the procedure, the patient is typically placed in a hip spica cast to immobilize the hip joint and facilitate proper healing.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The open adductor tenotomy procedure described by CPT® Code 27001 is indicated for specific conditions affecting the hip joint. These include:

  • Congenital Hip Dislocation - A condition present at birth where the femoral head is not properly seated in the acetabulum, leading to instability and potential complications if not addressed.
  • Adduction Contracture - A condition characterized by the tightening of the adductor muscles, which can restrict movement and lead to subluxation of the hip, particularly in patients with spastic type cerebral palsy.

2. Procedure

The open adductor tenotomy procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful intervention. These steps include:

  • Step 1: Incision - A small skin incision is made on the medial aspect of the groin to provide access to the adductor tendon. This incision is strategically placed to minimize tissue damage while allowing adequate exposure of the tendon.
  • Step 2: Exposure of the Adductor Tendon - Once the incision is made, the surgeon carefully dissects through the surrounding tissues to expose the adductor tendon. This step is crucial for ensuring that the tendon can be accurately identified and accessed for the tenotomy.
  • Step 3: Incision of the Adductor Tendon - The exposed adductor tendon is then incised. This cutting of the tendon is the primary action of the tenotomy, which aims to relieve tension and correct the positioning of the femoral head.
  • Step 4: Positioning of the Femoral Head - After the tendon is incised, the surgeon positions the femoral head within the acetabulum to ensure proper alignment and stability of the hip joint.
  • Step 5: Application of Hip Spica Cast - Following the repositioning of the femoral head, the patient is placed in a hip spica cast. This cast is designed to immobilize the hip joint, allowing for proper healing and recovery post-surgery.

3. Post-Procedure

After the open adductor tenotomy procedure, patients typically require careful monitoring and follow-up care. The application of a hip spica cast is essential for immobilization, which aids in the healing process. Patients may experience some discomfort and swelling in the area, which can be managed with appropriate pain relief measures. Rehabilitation and physical therapy may be recommended to restore mobility and strength in the hip joint once the cast is removed. It is important for healthcare providers to monitor the patient's recovery closely to ensure proper healing and to address any complications that may arise during the recovery period.

Short Descr INCISION OF HIP TENDON
Medium Descr TENOTOMY ADDUCTOR HIP OPEN
Long Descr Tenotomy, adductor of hip, open
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 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) P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 160 - Other therapeutic procedures on muscles and tendons
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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.
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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).
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.
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).
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).
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
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
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