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Official Description

Open treatment of femoral fracture, distal end, medial or lateral condyle, includes internal fixation, when performed

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 27514 refers to the open treatment of a femoral fracture located at the distal end, specifically involving the medial or lateral condyle of the femur. The condyles are the rounded ends of the femur that articulate with the tibia, playing a crucial role in knee joint function. This procedure is performed when there is a fracture in these areas, which may involve large or small fragments of bone. In cases where large fragments are present, a midline incision is typically made over the knee, allowing for a parapatellar release and dislocation of the patella to gain direct access to the fracture site. For smaller fragments, a more localized approach is taken with either a medial or lateral incision over the affected condyle. The surgical process involves exposing the fracture, clearing it of any debris, and reducing the fragments to their proper alignment. Internal fixation is then applied as necessary to stabilize the fracture. This may involve the use of temporary fixation methods, such as wires, to maintain anatomic alignment, which is confirmed through X-ray imaging. Following this, permanent fixation is achieved using screws or plates, and any temporary fixation devices are removed. The procedure concludes with the reapproximation of soft tissue and closure of the wound, ensuring that the integrity of the knee joint is restored.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The open treatment of a femoral fracture at the distal end, specifically involving the medial or lateral condyle, is indicated in the following scenarios:

  • Fracture of the Femoral Condyle This procedure is performed when there is a fracture in the distal end of the femur, particularly affecting the medial or lateral condyle, which may result from trauma or injury.
  • Displacement of Fragments Indicated when there is significant displacement of fracture fragments that cannot be adequately stabilized through non-surgical methods.
  • Inability to Achieve Proper Alignment When closed reduction techniques fail to achieve or maintain proper alignment of the fracture fragments, necessitating surgical intervention.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the open treatment of a femoral fracture at the distal end involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Incision A midline incision is made over the knee for large fragments, allowing for a parapatellar release and dislocation of the patella. This approach provides direct access to the fracture site. For smaller fragments, a medial or lateral incision is made over the affected condyle to minimize tissue disruption.
  • Step 2: Exposure and Debridement The incision is extended into the joint capsule, allowing the surgeon to expose the fracture. Any debris within the fracture site is carefully cleared to facilitate proper healing and alignment of the bone fragments.
  • Step 3: Reduction of Fragments The fracture fragments are reduced, meaning they are repositioned to their correct anatomical alignment. This step is crucial for restoring the function of the knee joint.
  • Step 4: Internal Fixation Internal fixation is applied as needed to stabilize the fracture. Temporary fixation may be achieved through the placement of wires, which help maintain alignment while permanent fixation is prepared.
  • Step 5: Verification of Alignment Anatomic alignment of the fracture is verified using X-ray imaging to ensure that the fragments are properly positioned before final fixation.
  • Step 6: Permanent Fixation Permanent fixation is then applied using screws or plates, depending on the nature of the fracture and the size and number of fragments. The temporary wires are removed once stability is confirmed.
  • Step 7: Closure After ensuring that the fracture is adequately stabilized and aligned, the soft tissue is reapproximated, and the wound is closed to promote healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the open treatment of a femoral fracture includes monitoring for signs of infection, managing pain, and ensuring proper healing of the surgical site. Patients may require physical therapy to regain strength and mobility in the knee joint. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and to perform additional imaging, if necessary, to confirm that the fracture remains properly aligned. The recovery period may vary based on the complexity of the fracture and the individual patient's health status.

Short Descr TREATMENT OF THIGH FRACTURE
Medium Descr OPEN TX FEMORAL FRACTURE DISTAL MED/LAT CONDYLE
Long Descr Open treatment of femoral fracture, distal end, medial or lateral condyle, 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) 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)
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).
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).
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.
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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).
AF Specialty physician
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
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
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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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