Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed tenotomy of a patient’s hip. What CPT^® code should I choose for this surgery?

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Answer: There’s really no way to answer this question without gleaning more info from the operative report.

Best bet: Go back to the op report and look into the specifics of the tenotomy. Then you’ll choose from the following tenotomy codes:

• 27000 (Tenotomy, adductor of hip, percutaneous (separate procedure))
• 27001 (Tenotomy, adductor of hip, open)
• 27003 (Tenotomy, adductor, subcutaneous, open, with obturator neurectomy)
• 27005 (Tenotomy, hip flexor(s), open (separate procedure))
• 27006 (Tenotomy, abductors and/or extensor(s) of hip, open (separate procedure))

One more thing: Once you’ve chosen a tenotomy code, be sure to append modifier LT (Left side) or RT (Right side) to indicate laterality.