Coding Ahead
CasePilot
Medical Coding Assistant
Case2Code
Search and Code Lookup Tool
CareerCenter
Medical Coding Job Board
Log in Register free account

Need help choosing the right code?

Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.

Try CasePilot

Official Description

Revision of total hip arthroplasty; acetabular component only, with or without autograft or allograft

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 27137 refers to the procedure known as the revision of total hip arthroplasty, specifically focusing on the acetabular component. This procedure is indicated when a previously implanted total hip prosthesis has failed, necessitating a surgical intervention to replace or revise the acetabular component. The revision process typically involves several critical steps, including the removal of existing implants, addressing any bony abnormalities that may have developed, and the implantation of new or revised components. Additionally, bone grafting may be performed using either autograft (bone taken from the patient's own body) or allograft (bone taken from a donor). During the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision along the lateral aspect of the hip, following the line of the previous surgical incision. This allows access to the underlying soft tissues, which may require extensive dissection due to scar tissue formation from the prior surgery. The procedure may involve the release of various soft tissue structures, such as the psoas tendon and the gluteus maximus insertion, to facilitate access to the hip joint. Once the hip is dislocated, the femoral head prosthesis is exposed, and the acetabular component is carefully removed. The removal process may involve excising the pseudocapsule and addressing any trochanteric overhang, which can be done using a high-speed burr or through a trochanteric osteotomy. The femoral component may also need to be removed, which can be straightforward or may require additional techniques to sever any fibrous or bony ingrowth. After the components are removed, the surgical site is thoroughly cleaned, and any necessary bone grafts are applied to address bone loss. Finally, the new or revised acetabular component is implanted, completing the revision process.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure coded as CPT® 27137 is indicated for patients experiencing complications related to a previously performed total hip arthroplasty. The specific indications for this revision procedure include:

  • Failed Total Hip Arthroplasty - The primary indication is the failure of the existing total hip prosthesis, which may manifest as pain, instability, or functional impairment.
  • Acetabular Component Failure - This procedure specifically addresses issues with the acetabular component, which may include loosening, wear, or fracture of the implant.
  • Bony Abnormalities - The presence of bony abnormalities that require correction prior to the implantation of a new acetabular component.
  • Need for Bone Grafting - Situations where bone grafting is necessary to restore the integrity of the acetabulum or surrounding structures.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® 27137 involves several detailed steps to ensure the successful revision of the acetabular component of a total hip arthroplasty:

  • Incision and Access - The surgeon begins by making an incision over the previous surgical site along the lateral aspect of the hip. This incision allows for access to the underlying soft tissues and the hip joint.
  • Soft Tissue Dissection - Following the incision, the surgeon carefully dissects the soft tissues. This may involve extensive soft tissue release due to scar tissue formation from the initial surgery, which can include partial release of the psoas tendon and gluteus maximus insertion.
  • Hip Dislocation - The hip joint is dislocated to expose the femoral head prosthesis, allowing for better access to the acetabular component.
  • Removal of Acetabular Component - The acetabular component is removed by excising the entire pseudocapsule. The surgeon then extracts the acetabular cup, which may require addressing any trochanteric overhang using a high-speed burr or performing a trochanteric osteotomy.
  • Preparation for Femoral Component Removal - The proximal aspect of the femoral stem is cleared of any visible bone cement or bony overgrowth to facilitate the removal of the femoral component.
  • Extraction of Femoral Component - Depending on the type of prosthesis, the femoral component may be removed using traction. If necessary, the surgeon may need to sever fibrous or bony ingrowth using flexible osteotomies or a small burr before extracting the component.
  • Cleaning the Surgical Site - After the components are removed, the surgical sites are flushed with saline and/or an antibiotic solution to reduce the risk of infection.
  • Evaluation and Grafting - The acetabulum and femoral shaft are evaluated for any bone loss. If needed, bone allografts and/or autografts are used to reconstitute the bones before the new components are implanted.
  • Implantation of Revised Components - Finally, the surgeon implants the revised acetabular component, completing the revision procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following CPT® 27137 involves monitoring the patient for any complications and ensuring proper recovery. Patients may require pain management and physical therapy to regain mobility and strength in the hip joint. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and the stability of the newly implanted acetabular component. The physician may also provide specific instructions regarding weight-bearing activities and rehabilitation exercises to facilitate recovery.

Short Descr REVISE HIP JOINT REPLACEMENT
Medium Descr REVJ TOT HIP ARTHRP ACTBLR W/WO AGRFT/ALGRFT
Long Descr Revision of total hip arthroplasty; acetabular component only, 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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure 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.
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).
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.
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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.)
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
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)
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
FS Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
PA Surgical or other invasive procedure on wrong body part
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
Date
Action
Notes
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
CasePilot

Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.

Ask about:
CPT Codes Guidelines Modifiers Crosswalks NCCI Edits Compliance Medicare Coverage
Example: "What is CPT code 99213?" or "Guidelines for E/M services"