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Official Description

Tenotomy, abductors and/or extensor(s) of hip, open (separate procedure)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 27006 refers to a tenotomy of the hip extensors and/or abductors, which is an open surgical intervention performed as a separate procedure. A tenotomy involves the surgical cutting of a tendon to relieve tension and improve mobility. This specific procedure is indicated for patients suffering from extension and/or abduction contractures, commonly seen in conditions such as spastic paraplegia or cerebral palsy. In these cases, the affected muscles may become overly tight, leading to deformities that restrict movement. The surgical approach begins with a careful evaluation of the deformity, followed by incisions made over the quadriceps muscle for extension deformities, where the tendons of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius are accessed. For abduction contractures, the gluteal muscle insertion sites are exposed to allow for the release of the tendons. After the necessary tenotomies are performed, the incisions are meticulously closed in layers, and postoperative care may include the application of casts or braces to support the hip during recovery.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The tenotomy of the hip extensors and/or abductors is performed for specific indications related to contractures that affect mobility. The following conditions are explicitly mentioned as indications for this procedure:

  • Spastic Paraplegia - A condition characterized by stiffness and tightness in the muscles of the lower limbs, leading to difficulty in movement and positioning.
  • Cerebral Palsy - A group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone, often resulting in contractures due to abnormal muscle tension and coordination.

2. Procedure

The procedure for performing a tenotomy of the hip extensors and/or abductors involves several critical steps, each aimed at addressing the contractures effectively. The following procedural steps are outlined:

  • Step 1: Evaluation of Deformity - The surgeon begins by thoroughly evaluating the extension and/or abduction deformity in the patient. This assessment is crucial to determine the extent of the contracture and the specific tendons that require intervention.
  • Step 2: Incision for Extension Deformity - For patients with an extension deformity, an incision is made over the quadriceps muscle at the hip. This incision allows access to the underlying tendons that need to be addressed.
  • Step 3: Exposure of Tendons - The surgeon carefully exposes the tendons of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. This exposure is essential for performing the tenotomies effectively.
  • Step 4: Tenotomy of Extensor Tendons - Once the tendons are exposed, the surgeon performs tenotomies as needed to relieve the contracture. This step involves cutting the tendons to reduce tension and improve mobility.
  • Step 5: Incision for Abduction Contractures - In cases of abduction contractures, the surgeon exposes the insertion sites of the gluteal muscles. This access is necessary to address the tendons contributing to the contracture.
  • Step 6: Release of Abductor Tendons - The surgeon then releases the tendons at the hip as needed to alleviate the abduction contracture, allowing for improved range of motion.
  • Step 7: Closure of Incisions - After completing the necessary tenotomies, the operative incisions are closed in layers to promote proper healing and minimize complications.
  • Step 8: Postoperative Support - Following the closure, casts or braces may be applied as needed to support the hip during the recovery phase, ensuring that the surgical site is protected while healing occurs.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a tenotomy of the hip extensors and/or abductors is essential for optimal recovery. Patients may require monitoring for any signs of complications, such as infection or excessive swelling. The application of casts or braces is often necessary to stabilize the hip joint and support the healing process. Patients will typically be advised on activity restrictions to prevent undue stress on the surgical site. Follow-up appointments are crucial to assess the healing progress and to determine when physical therapy may be initiated to restore mobility and strength in the affected area.

Short Descr INCISION OF HIP TENDONS
Medium Descr TENOTOMY ABDUCTORS&/EXTENSOR HIP OPEN SPX
Long Descr Tenotomy, abductors and/or extensor(s) of hip, open (separate procedure)
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 Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; 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
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.
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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.
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
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).
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).
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).
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).
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
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
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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