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Official Description

Open treatment of greater trochanteric fracture, includes internal fixation, when performed

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A greater trochanteric fracture refers to a break in the larger bony projection located just below the neck of the femur, which is crucial for muscle attachment in the thigh and buttocks. This type of fracture is significant due to its impact on the function of muscles such as the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, piriformis, obturator internus, and gemelli muscles. The open treatment of this fracture involves a surgical procedure where the fracture is directly accessed and realigned, a process known as open reduction. This method is typically employed when the fracture fragments are completely displaced and require precise repositioning to restore normal anatomy and function. During the procedure, a lateral incision is made over the greater trochanter, allowing the surgeon to dissect down to the fascia lata, which is then split longitudinally to expose the fracture site. Once the fracture is visible and cleared of any debris, the fragments are carefully reduced, and internal fixation is applied as necessary to stabilize the fracture. Common techniques for internal fixation include the use of a tension band, which utilizes wires or cables to secure the fragments, or in situ screw fixation, depending on the specific characteristics of the fracture and the surgeon's preference.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The open treatment of a greater trochanteric fracture is indicated in specific clinical scenarios where the fracture is significantly displaced and requires surgical intervention to restore proper alignment and function. The following conditions warrant this procedure:

  • Displaced Fracture: A fracture where the bone fragments are not aligned and are separated, necessitating surgical realignment.
  • Mechanically Significant Fracture: A fracture that affects the stability and function of the hip, requiring intervention to prevent complications such as malunion or nonunion.
  • Inability to Achieve Adequate Reduction Non-Operatively: Situations where conservative treatment methods, such as immobilization, are insufficient to achieve proper alignment of the fracture.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the open treatment of a greater trochanteric fracture involves several critical steps to ensure successful realignment and stabilization of the fracture. Each step is essential for achieving optimal outcomes:

  • Step 1: Incision and Exposure A lateral incision is made over the greater trochanter to provide access to the fracture site. The incision is carefully planned to minimize damage to surrounding tissues. Once the incision is made, the surgeon dissects through the subcutaneous tissue and fascia lata, splitting the fascia longitudinally to expose the underlying structures.
  • Step 2: Fracture Site Preparation After exposing the fracture site, the surgeon clears any debris or hematoma present at the fracture location. This step is crucial for visualizing the fracture fragments and ensuring a clean working area for the reduction process.
  • Step 3: Reduction of Fracture The fracture fragments are then carefully manipulated back into their proper anatomical position, a process known as reduction. This step may require the use of specialized instruments to assist in aligning the fragments accurately.
  • Step 4: Internal Fixation Once the fracture is reduced, internal fixation is applied to stabilize the fragments. This may involve the use of a tension band technique, where wires or cables are employed to secure the fragments together, or in situ screw fixation, depending on the specific characteristics of the fracture and the surgeon's preference.

3. Post-Procedure

After the open treatment of a greater trochanteric fracture, post-procedure care is essential for optimal recovery. Patients are typically monitored for any signs of complications, such as infection or improper healing. Rehabilitation may begin shortly after surgery, focusing on restoring mobility and strength in the hip area. Physical therapy is often recommended to guide patients through exercises that promote healing and improve function. The expected recovery time can vary based on the severity of the fracture and the patient's overall health, but close follow-up with the healthcare provider is crucial to ensure proper healing and to address any concerns that may arise during the recovery process.

Short Descr TREAT THIGH FRACTURE
Medium Descr OPEN TREATMENT GREATER TROCHANTERIC FRACTURE
Long Descr Open treatment of greater trochanteric fracture, includes internal fixation, when performed
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) P3A - Major procedure, orthopedic - Hip fracture repair
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 146 - Treatment, fracture or dislocation of hip and femur
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)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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.
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).
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.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
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).
AG Primary physician
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
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
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
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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2008-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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