CPT® Code 23460

An anterior capsulorrhaphy is a surgical procedure aimed at repairing the shoulder capsule to address instability of the glenohumeral joint, which is the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder. This instability often results from recurrent anterior dislocations of the shoulder, where the head of the humerus dislocates forward out of the socket. The procedure can be performed using different techniques, categorized into anatomic and nonanatomic repairs. Anatomic repairs focus on directly repairing the damaged or disrupted structures of the shoulder, restoring them to their original state. In contrast, nonanatomic repairs involve shortening or tightening the shoulder structures to enhance joint stability and prevent future dislocations. The specific procedure described by CPT® Code 23460 involves the use of a bone block, also known as a bone graft, to reinforce the repair. The surgical approach begins with an incision over the anterior shoulder, allowing access to the joint capsule. The surgeon dissects through the soft tissues to expose and open the joint capsule, where the injury is addressed. Depending on the nature of the injury, the subscapularis muscle may be shortened or tightened, or the joint structures may be repaired directly. A bone graft is then prepared, which can be an autograft (harvested from the patient) or an allograft (obtained from a bone bank). This graft is shaped and placed into the defect to provide additional support. After the repair, the soft tissues are closed over the joint, and the skin is sutured in layers to complete the procedure.