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Official Description

Closed treatment of intertrochanteric, peritrochanteric, or subtrochanteric femoral fracture; without manipulation

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Closed treatment of intertrochanteric, peritrochanteric, or subtrochanteric femoral fractures without manipulation, as described by CPT® Code 27238, refers to a specific type of orthopedic procedure aimed at managing certain fractures of the femur, which is the thigh bone. Intertrochanteric fractures occur in the region between the greater and lesser trochanters, which are bony prominences on the femur. Peritrochanteric fractures encompass injuries that occur around or encircle these trochanters, while subtrochanteric fractures are located just below them. This procedure is indicated for nondisplaced fractures, meaning that the bone fragments have not shifted from their original position and do not require manual manipulation to realign them. During the treatment, a thorough evaluation is conducted, including obtaining radiographs to confirm the presence and type of fracture. A neurovascular examination is also performed to assess the integrity of the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the injury site, ensuring that there are no complications that could affect healing or function. The patient is then instructed on the importance of avoiding weight-bearing activities on the affected limb and may be provided with crutches or other assistive devices to facilitate mobility while minimizing stress on the injury. This approach allows for the natural healing of the fracture without the need for invasive procedures or manipulation of the bone fragments.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The closed treatment of intertrochanteric, peritrochanteric, or subtrochanteric femoral fractures without manipulation is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Nondisplaced Intertrochanteric Fractures - Fractures that occur between the greater and lesser trochanters of the femur without any displacement of the bone fragments.
  • Nondisplaced Peritrochanteric Fractures - Fractures that encircle or occur around the greater or lesser trochanter without displacement.
  • Nondisplaced Subtrochanteric Fractures - Fractures that occur just below the greater and lesser trochanters without displacement.

2. Procedure

The procedure for closed treatment of intertrochanteric, peritrochanteric, or subtrochanteric femoral fractures without manipulation involves several key steps:

  • Step 1: Initial Assessment - The healthcare provider begins with a comprehensive assessment of the patient's injury, which includes a detailed medical history and physical examination to evaluate the extent of the fracture and any associated injuries.
  • Step 2: Radiographic Imaging - Separately reportable radiographs are obtained to confirm the diagnosis of the fracture. These imaging studies help visualize the fracture's location and determine whether it is indeed nondisplaced.
  • Step 3: Neurovascular Examination - A thorough neurovascular exam is performed to assess the integrity of the nerves and blood vessels in the area surrounding the fracture. This step is crucial to rule out any complications that could affect the patient's recovery.
  • Step 4: Patient Education - The patient is educated on the nature of their injury and the importance of keeping weight off the affected limb. Instructions are provided on the use of crutches or other walking aids to assist with mobility while avoiding stress on the fracture site.

3. Post-Procedure

After the closed treatment procedure, the patient is advised to follow specific post-procedure care instructions to promote healing. This includes adhering to weight-bearing restrictions as directed, using assistive devices as needed, and attending follow-up appointments for monitoring the healing process. The healthcare provider may also recommend physical therapy to aid in recovery and restore function once the fracture has sufficiently healed. Regular follow-up radiographs may be necessary to ensure proper healing and alignment of the femur.

Short Descr TREAT THIGH FRACTURE
Medium Descr CLTX INTER/PERI/SUBTROCHANTERIC FEM FX W/O MANJ
Long Descr Closed treatment of intertrochanteric, peritrochanteric, or subtrochanteric femoral fracture; without manipulation
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 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) P6B - Minor procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 146 - Treatment, fracture or dislocation of hip and femur
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)
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.
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).
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).
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.
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).
AG Primary physician
AM Physician, team member service
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
ET Emergency services
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
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
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2007-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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