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Official Description

Conversion of previous hip surgery to total hip arthroplasty, with or without autograft or allograft

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 27132 involves the conversion of a previously performed hip surgery to a total hip arthroplasty. This surgical intervention is necessary when a patient has undergone prior hip surgery, which may have involved the placement of hardware such as pins or screws, and is now experiencing complications or deterioration that necessitate a complete hip replacement. The conversion process entails several critical steps, including the removal of existing hardware, correction of any bony abnormalities, and the implantation of total hip components. Additionally, bone grafting may be required to ensure proper structural support and stability of the hip joint. The procedure begins with an incision along the lateral aspect of the hip, following the line of the previous surgical incision, allowing access to the underlying tissues. Surgeons may need to perform extensive soft tissue releases to address any scar tissue that has formed, which can impede the surgical process. This may involve partial releases of the psoas tendon, gluteus maximus insertion, and the head of the rectus femoris. Once the hip is dislocated, the femoral head is exposed, and the existing hardware is removed. The acetabulum, or hip socket, is then prepared by removing damaged cartilage and bone, and evaluated for any bone loss that may require the use of bone grafts. The procedure culminates in the secure placement of a prosthetic cup and stem, ensuring that the new hip joint functions effectively and maintains stability throughout its range of motion.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 27132 is indicated for patients who have previously undergone hip surgery and are experiencing complications that necessitate a total hip arthroplasty. The following conditions may warrant this conversion procedure:

  • Failed Previous Hip Surgery The patient has had a prior hip surgery that has not resulted in satisfactory outcomes, leading to persistent pain or dysfunction.
  • Hardware Complications The presence of hardware such as pins or screws that may be causing pain, infection, or mechanical failure.
  • Bone Abnormalities The presence of bony abnormalities or significant bone loss in the hip joint that requires reconstruction.
  • Severe Osteoarthritis The development of severe osteoarthritis in the hip joint following previous surgical interventions.

2. Procedure

The conversion to total hip arthroplasty involves several detailed procedural steps, which are as follows:

  • Step 1: Incision and Soft Tissue Dissection The procedure begins with an incision made over the previous surgical site along the lateral aspect of the hip. This allows the surgeon to access the underlying soft tissues. Careful dissection is performed to separate the soft tissue layers, and extensive soft tissue release may be necessary to address any scar tissue that has formed from the previous surgery. This may include partial release of the psoas tendon, gluteus maximus insertion, and the head of the rectus femoris to facilitate access to the hip joint.
  • Step 2: Hip Dislocation and Hardware Removal Once the soft tissues are adequately dissected, the hip is dislocated to expose the femoral head. At this stage, any existing hardware, such as pins or screws, is carefully removed to prepare the joint for the new prosthetic components.
  • Step 3: Acetabulum Preparation The next step involves the removal of damaged cartilage and bone from the surface of the acetabulum using an osteotome. The acetabulum is then evaluated for any bone loss, and if necessary, bone allografts and/or autografts are utilized to reconstitute the hip socket, ensuring a stable foundation for the prosthetic cup.
  • Step 4: Prosthetic Cup Insertion After preparing the acetabulum, a prosthetic cup is secured into place, providing the new socket for the hip joint.
  • Step 5: Femoral Preparation The femoral head is excised, and the femoral shaft is reamed to accommodate the stem of the prosthesis. Similar to the acetabulum, the femoral shaft is evaluated for bone loss, and bone grafts may be used as needed to ensure proper support.
  • Step 6: Stem Insertion The stem of the prosthesis is then inserted into the prepared femoral shaft. This can be secured using either bone cement or a press-fit technique, depending on the specific requirements of the case.
  • Step 7: Ball Component Placement If the ball component is not already attached to the stem, it is connected at this stage. The ball is then placed into the cup component, completing the assembly of the new hip joint.
  • Step 8: Range of Motion Testing The newly constructed prosthetic hip joint is taken through a full range of motion to ensure adequate stability and mobility, confirming that the joint functions properly.
  • Step 9: Drain Placement and Closure A drain is placed to prevent fluid accumulation, and the incisions are closed in layers around the drain, ensuring proper healing.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the total hip arthroplasty conversion, patients typically require monitoring for any complications related to the surgery. Post-procedure care may include pain management, physical therapy to regain mobility, and instructions on activity restrictions to promote healing. The presence of a drain will be monitored, and it will be removed once the output is deemed appropriate. Patients are advised to follow up with their healthcare provider to assess the healing process and the functionality of the new hip joint.

Short Descr TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY
Medium Descr CONV PREV HIP TOT HIP ARTHRP W/WO AGRFT/ALGRFT
Long Descr Conversion of previous hip surgery to total hip arthroplasty, with or without autograft or allograft
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) P3B - Major procedure, orthopedic - Hip replacement
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 153 - Hip replacement, total and partial

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

20704 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery device(s), intra-articular (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
20705 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Removal of drug-delivery device(s), intra-articular (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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
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.)
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).
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.
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.
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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).
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).
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.
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).
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
99 Multiple modifiers: under certain circumstances 2 or more modifiers may be necessary to completely delineate a service. in such situations modifier 99 should be added to the basic procedure, and other applicable modifiers may be listed as part of the description of the service.
AF Specialty physician
AG Primary 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
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
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
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
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
Date
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2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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