© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
A surgical arthroscopy of the hip, specifically identified by CPT® Code 29863, involves a minimally invasive procedure that allows for the examination and treatment of the hip joint. The primary objective of this procedure is to perform a synovectomy, which entails the removal of inflamed synovial tissue that may be causing pain or dysfunction within the joint. The procedure begins with the creation of a small portal incision on the lateral aspect of the hip joint, which serves as the entry point for the arthroscope. A second incision, located anterolaterally, is made to facilitate the introduction of surgical instruments necessary for the synovectomy. Additional incisions may be made as required to enhance visualization and access to various structures within the hip joint. During the procedure, fluoroscopic guidance is utilized to accurately place a catheter into the hip joint through the lateral portal. Sterile saline is then introduced to distract the joint, providing a clearer view of the internal structures. Following this, the catheter is removed, and the arthroscope, equipped with a camera, is inserted. This camera projects real-time images onto a video screen, allowing the surgeon to thoroughly examine the hip joint for any signs of injury or disease. The inflamed synovial tissue is subsequently excised using a synovial resector, or alternatively, radiofrequency probes may be employed to achieve the same outcome. Upon completion of the synovectomy, the arthroscope and any surgical instruments are withdrawn, the joint is flushed with sterile saline to ensure cleanliness, and the portal incisions are meticulously closed to promote optimal healing.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure of arthroscopy of the hip with synovectomy, as described by CPT® Code 29863, is indicated for various conditions that involve inflammation or disease of the synovial tissue within the hip joint. The following are the explicitly provided indications for this procedure:
The procedure of arthroscopy of the hip with synovectomy involves several critical steps, each designed to ensure effective treatment of the inflamed synovial tissue. The following procedural steps are outlined:
After the completion of the arthroscopy with synovectomy, patients can expect a recovery period that may vary based on individual circumstances and the extent of the procedure. Post-procedure care typically includes monitoring for any signs of infection at the incision sites, managing pain with prescribed medications, and following a rehabilitation program to restore mobility and strength in the hip joint. Patients are often advised to avoid weight-bearing activities for a specified duration to allow for proper healing. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess recovery progress and determine the need for any additional interventions.
| Short Descr | HIP ARTHR0 W/SYNOVECTOMY | Medium Descr | ARTHROSCOPY HIP SURGICAL W/SYNOVECTOMY | Long Descr | Arthroscopy, hip, surgical; with synovectomy | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 090 - Major Surgery | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 3 - Special payment adjustment rules for multiple endoscopic 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. | Endoscopic Base Code | 29860 Arthroscopy, hip, diagnostic with or without synovial biopsy (separate procedure) | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | 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) | P8A - Endoscopy - arthroscopy | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 162 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on joints |
| 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). | 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). | 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 | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | 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) | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 1998-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1998. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.