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Official Description

Prophylactic treatment (nailing, pinning, plating or wiring) with or without methylmethacrylate, femoral neck and proximal femur

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Prophylactic treatment of the femoral neck or proximal femur is a surgical procedure aimed at enhancing the structural integrity of the bone, particularly in patients who are at risk due to conditions such as osteoporosis or osteolytic diseases, which may arise from bone metastases. This treatment is essential for preventing fractures and providing stability to weakened bones. The procedure can involve various techniques, including nailing, pinning, plating, or wiring, and may utilize methylmethacrylate, a type of bone cement, to further reinforce the bone. The approach can be minimally invasive, employing percutaneous techniques where small incisions are made to insert pins or screws under radiographic guidance. This method allows for precise placement of the fixation devices, which can include hollow cannulated screws that facilitate the injection of bone cement directly into the femoral neck. In cases where more extensive support is needed, a larger incision may be made to expose the proximal femur, allowing for the application of internal fixation devices such as plates and screws or wire cerclage. The procedure concludes with a layered closure of the surgical site to promote healing and minimize complications.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Prophylactic treatment of the femoral neck and proximal femur is indicated in the following scenarios:

  • Osteoporosis Patients with osteoporosis are at an increased risk of fractures due to weakened bone density, making prophylactic treatment necessary to prevent potential fractures.
  • Osteolytic Disease Conditions that lead to osteolytic changes, such as those caused by bone metastases, necessitate reinforcement of the femoral neck and proximal femur to maintain structural integrity and prevent fractures.

2. Procedure

The procedure for prophylactic treatment of the femoral neck and proximal femur involves several key steps:

  • Step 1: Preparation The patient is positioned appropriately, and the surgical site is prepared and draped in a sterile manner to minimize the risk of infection.
  • Step 2: Incision For percutaneous techniques, a small skin incision is made over the planned screw insertion site. In cases requiring more extensive support, a larger incision may be made over the lateral aspect of the hip to expose the proximal femur.
  • Step 3: Radiographic Guidance Using fluoroscopic or other radiographic guidance, the surgeon accurately locates the femoral neck and proximal femur to ensure precise placement of the fixation devices.
  • Step 4: Insertion of Fixation Devices One or more pins or screws are inserted through the femoral neck and proximal femur. If a hollow cannulated screw is used, it allows for the injection of bone cement (methylmethacrylate) through the screw into the femoral neck. Alternatively, the bone may be drilled, and bone cement injected directly into the bone to provide additional support.
  • Step 5: Application of Internal Fixation If plate and screw or wire cerclage techniques are employed, internal fixation devices are placed to stabilize the damaged bone effectively.
  • Step 6: Closure After the fixation devices are securely in place, the operative wound is closed in layers to promote optimal healing and reduce the risk of complications.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the patient for any signs of complications, such as infection or improper healing. Patients may require pain management and physical therapy to aid in recovery. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the stability of the fixation devices and the healing process of the femoral neck and proximal femur. The expected recovery time may vary based on the individual patient's condition and the extent of the procedure performed.

Short Descr REINFORCE HIP BONES
Medium Descr PROPH TX N/P/PLTWR W/WO MMA FEM NCK & PROX FEMUR
Long Descr Prophylactic treatment (nailing, pinning, plating or wiring) with or without methylmethacrylate, femoral neck and proximal femur
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 146 - Treatment, fracture or dislocation of hip and femur
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)
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).
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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).
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.
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.
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).
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
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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
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
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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