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Official Description

Closed treatment of femoral shaft fracture, without manipulation

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A femoral shaft fracture refers to a break in the long bone of the thigh, known as the femur, which is located between the hip and the knee. The closed treatment of this type of fracture, as indicated by CPT® Code 27500, involves managing the injury without the need for surgical manipulation of the bone fragments. This means that the fracture is treated externally, without making any incisions or directly repositioning the broken pieces of bone. To confirm the presence and extent of the fracture, separate radiographs (X-rays) are obtained. Additionally, a thorough neurovascular examination is conducted to assess the integrity of the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the fracture site, ensuring that there is no compromise to these critical structures. Following the assessment, a hip spica cast is applied to immobilize the fracture, providing stability and support during the healing process. This method of treatment is particularly important for ensuring proper alignment and healing of the femur while minimizing the risk of complications associated with more invasive procedures.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The closed treatment of a femoral shaft fracture without manipulation is indicated in specific scenarios where the fracture can be managed effectively without surgical intervention. The following conditions typically warrant this procedure:

  • Femoral Shaft Fracture A confirmed diagnosis of a fracture in the femoral shaft, which may result from trauma or injury.
  • Stable Fracture The fracture is stable enough to be treated without the need for manipulation, meaning that the bone fragments are not significantly displaced.
  • Intact Neurovascular Status A neurovascular examination indicates that the nerves and blood vessels around the fracture site are intact and functioning properly.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the closed treatment of a femoral shaft fracture without manipulation involves several key steps, each critical to ensuring proper care and recovery:

  • Step 1: Radiographic Confirmation Initially, separate radiographs are obtained to confirm the presence of the femoral shaft fracture. These X-rays provide essential information regarding the location and extent of the fracture, allowing for appropriate treatment planning.
  • Step 2: Neurovascular Examination Following the imaging, a comprehensive neurovascular examination is performed. This assessment is crucial to ensure that the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the fracture are intact, which helps to prevent complications during the healing process.
  • Step 3: Application of Hip Spica Cast Once the fracture is confirmed and the neurovascular status is deemed satisfactory, a hip spica cast is applied. This cast immobilizes the femur, providing the necessary support and stability to facilitate healing without the need for manipulation of the fracture fragments.

3. Post-Procedure

After the closed treatment procedure, the patient will require careful monitoring and follow-up care. The hip spica cast will need to remain in place for a specified duration to ensure proper immobilization of the fracture. Patients should be advised on signs of complications, such as increased pain, swelling, or changes in sensation, which may indicate issues with the healing process or neurovascular compromise. Regular follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess the healing progress through additional radiographs and to make any adjustments to the treatment plan as needed.

Short Descr TREATMENT OF THIGH FRACTURE
Medium Descr CLOSED TX FEMORAL SHAFT FX W/O MANIPULATION
Long Descr Closed treatment of femoral shaft 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 Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
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
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).
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.)
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
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)
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
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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