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Official Description

Open treatment of hip dislocation, traumatic, without internal fixation

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Open treatment of hip dislocation, traumatic, without internal fixation, as described by CPT® Code 27253, refers to a surgical procedure aimed at correcting a dislocated hip joint that has been displaced due to trauma, typically from high-energy incidents such as motor vehicle accidents. In this context, a traumatic hip dislocation can manifest as either an anterior or posterior dislocation, with posterior dislocations being the most frequently encountered. The procedure involves an open reduction technique, which means that the surgeon makes an incision to directly access the hip joint rather than using closed manipulation techniques. The surgical approach is generally through a posterior incision, allowing the surgeon to carefully divide the soft tissues and expose the proximal femur and acetabulum, which are critical components of the hip joint. During the procedure, the joint is thoroughly irrigated to eliminate any bone fragments or soft tissue debris that could hinder proper joint movement. The reduction of the femoral head back into the acetabulum is achieved through a combination of traction and mechanical forces, ensuring that the joint is restored to its normal anatomical position. Once the femoral head is correctly aligned within the acetabulum, the surgical incision is meticulously closed in layers to promote optimal healing. This procedure is distinct from CPT® Code 27254, which involves the treatment of associated acetabular wall and/or femoral head fractures alongside the dislocation reduction, requiring additional fixation techniques.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Open treatment of hip dislocation, traumatic, without internal fixation (CPT® Code 27253) is indicated for patients who have experienced a traumatic hip dislocation, particularly those resulting from high-energy blunt force trauma. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Traumatic Hip Dislocation This procedure is performed when a patient presents with a dislocated hip joint due to trauma, such as from a motor vehicle accident or a fall from a significant height.
  • Posterior Dislocation The most common type of hip dislocation, where the femoral head is displaced posteriorly, necessitating surgical intervention for proper alignment and stabilization.
  • Failure of Closed Reduction If attempts at closed reduction (non-surgical realignment) are unsuccessful, an open treatment approach is required to restore the hip joint's normal anatomy.

2. Procedure

The procedure for open treatment of hip dislocation, traumatic, without internal fixation involves several critical steps to ensure the successful reduction of the dislocated hip joint:

  • Step 1: Surgical Approach The surgeon begins by making a posterior incision over the hip joint to gain access to the dislocated femoral head and acetabulum. This incision allows for adequate exposure of the joint structures.
  • Step 2: Soft Tissue Dissection Once the incision is made, the surgeon carefully dissects through the soft tissues, including muscles and ligaments, to expose the proximal femur and acetabulum. This step is crucial for visualizing the dislocated joint.
  • Step 3: Joint Irrigation After exposing the joint, the surgeon irrigates the hip joint to remove any bone fragments or soft tissue debris that may be present. This cleaning process is essential to prevent complications and ensure smooth joint movement post-reduction.
  • Step 4: Reduction of the Femoral Head The surgeon then employs a combination of traction and mechanical forces to reduce the femoral head back into the acetabulum. This step requires careful manipulation to ensure that the joint is restored to its proper anatomical position.
  • Step 5: Closure of the Incision Once the femoral head is successfully reduced, the surgeon closes the incision in layers, ensuring that all soft tissues are properly aligned and sutured to promote healing.

3. Post-Procedure

After the open treatment of hip dislocation, the patient will typically undergo a period of monitoring to assess for any immediate complications. Post-procedure care may include pain management, physical therapy to restore mobility, and follow-up imaging to ensure the hip joint remains properly aligned. Patients are often advised to avoid weight-bearing activities for a specified duration to allow for adequate healing. The healthcare team will provide specific instructions regarding rehabilitation and any necessary restrictions to facilitate recovery.

Short Descr TREAT HIP DISLOCATION
Medium Descr OPTX HIP DISLOCATION TRAUMATIC W/O INTERNAL FIXJ
Long Descr Open treatment of hip dislocation, traumatic, without internal fixation
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
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).
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).
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).
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).
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
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
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)
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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