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Official Description

Closed treatment of patellar dislocation; without anesthesia

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Closed treatment of patellar dislocation refers to a non-surgical procedure aimed at correcting the dislocation of the patella, which is the small bone located in front of the knee joint. This condition can occur due to various factors, including trauma, such as a fall or direct impact, or due to biomechanical imbalances in the knee joint, such as a high riding patella, known as patella alta. In cases where the patellar dislocation does not resolve on its own, a physician will perform a manual manipulation to reposition the patella back into its correct anatomical alignment. This procedure is conducted without the use of anesthesia, which distinguishes it from similar procedures that may require sedation or local anesthesia. Following the successful reduction of the dislocation, the physician may obtain radiographs to confirm the proper alignment of the patella. To ensure stability and support during the recovery process, the knee may be protected and immobilized using a compression wrap, splint, or cast. Additionally, patients are typically advised to ice and elevate the knee to reduce swelling and promote healing. It is important to note that CPT® Code 27560 is specifically used for cases where the dislocation is treated without anesthesia, while CPT® Code 27562 is designated for instances where anesthesia is utilized.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Closed treatment of patellar dislocation is indicated for patients presenting with the following conditions:

  • Acute Patellar Dislocation The procedure is performed when the patella has dislocated and does not reduce spontaneously, necessitating manual manipulation to restore its normal position.
  • Trauma Patients who have experienced trauma to the knee, resulting in dislocation of the patella, may require this treatment.
  • Biomechanical Imbalance Individuals with conditions such as patella alta, which can predispose them to dislocations, may also be candidates for this procedure.

2. Procedure

The closed treatment of patellar dislocation involves several key procedural steps:

  • Initial Assessment The physician begins by assessing the patient's knee to confirm the diagnosis of patellar dislocation. This may involve a physical examination and obtaining a history of the injury.
  • Manual Reduction If the patella is confirmed to be dislocated and has not reduced spontaneously, the physician will perform a manual reduction. This involves carefully manipulating the patella back into its correct anatomical position using specific hand movements.
  • Radiographic Evaluation Following the reduction, the physician may order a second set of radiographs to ensure that the patella is properly aligned and to rule out any associated fractures or injuries.
  • Immobilization Once the patella is successfully reduced, the knee may be protected and immobilized. This can be achieved through the application of a compression wrap, splint, or cast, depending on the severity of the dislocation and the physician's assessment.
  • Post-Procedure Instructions The patient will receive instructions on post-procedure care, which typically includes recommendations to ice and elevate the knee to minimize swelling and promote healing.

3. Post-Procedure

After the closed treatment of patellar dislocation, patients are advised to follow specific post-procedure care guidelines. This includes keeping the knee elevated and applying ice to reduce swelling. The immobilization device, whether it be a compression wrap, splint, or cast, should be worn as directed by the physician to ensure proper healing and stability of the knee joint. Patients may also be instructed to limit weight-bearing activities and to gradually increase mobility as tolerated. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to monitor the healing process and to assess the need for further interventions or rehabilitation.

Short Descr TREAT KNEECAP DISLOCATION
Medium Descr CLOSED TX PATELLAR DISLOCATION W/O ANESTHESIA
Long Descr Closed treatment of patellar dislocation; without anesthesia
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 147 - Treatment, fracture or dislocation of lower extremity (other than hip or femur)
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).
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.
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.
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.)
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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)
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
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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