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Official Description

Closed treatment of hip dislocation, traumatic; requiring anesthesia

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Traumatic hip dislocation is a serious condition that typically arises from high-energy blunt force trauma, such as that experienced in a motor vehicle accident. This type of dislocation can manifest as either an anterior or posterior dislocation, with posterior dislocation being the more prevalent form. The initial step in managing a traumatic hip dislocation involves a thorough evaluation of the neurovascular status of the affected leg to assess any potential damage to nerves or blood vessels. The closed treatment procedure entails a manual reduction of the dislocated hip, which is achieved through the application of traction and mechanical forces. This technique aims to reposition the femoral head back into its proper place within the acetabulum, the socket of the hip joint. After the closed reduction is performed, it is crucial to re-evaluate the neurovascular status to ensure that the leg is functioning properly. Confirmation of a successful reduction is typically obtained through the use of radiographs, which are reported separately. It is important to note that CPT® Code 27252 is specifically used when the closed treatment of the hip dislocation requires anesthesia, whereas CPT® Code 27250 is applicable when the procedure is performed without anesthesia.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The closed treatment of a traumatic hip dislocation is indicated in the following scenarios:

  • Traumatic Hip Dislocation This procedure is performed when a patient presents with a dislocated hip due to high-energy blunt force trauma, such as from a motor vehicle accident.
  • Posterior Dislocation The procedure is particularly indicated for cases of posterior hip dislocation, which is the most common type of hip dislocation.
  • Neurovascular Assessment Indications also include the need for evaluation of the neurovascular status of the affected leg prior to and following the reduction procedure.

2. Procedure

The closed treatment of a traumatic hip dislocation involves several critical procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Initial Evaluation The procedure begins with a comprehensive assessment of the patient's neurovascular status in the affected leg. This evaluation is essential to identify any potential complications that may arise from the dislocation, such as nerve or vascular injury.
  • Step 2: Manual Reduction Following the initial evaluation, the clinician performs a manual reduction of the dislocated hip. This step involves the application of traction and mechanical forces to guide the femoral head back into its anatomical position within the acetabulum. The clinician must carefully manipulate the hip joint to ensure proper alignment and stability.
  • Step 3: Post-Reduction Evaluation After the closed reduction is completed, the neurovascular status of the leg is re-evaluated to confirm that normal function has been restored. This step is crucial to ensure that there are no lingering complications from the dislocation.
  • Step 4: Radiographic Confirmation Finally, the success of the reduction is confirmed through radiographs, which are separately reportable. These imaging studies provide visual evidence that the femoral head is correctly positioned within the acetabulum.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the closed treatment of a traumatic hip dislocation includes monitoring the patient for any signs of complications, such as persistent pain, swelling, or changes in neurovascular status. Patients may be advised to limit weight-bearing activities on the affected leg for a specified period to allow for proper healing. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled to assess recovery and to perform additional imaging if necessary to ensure that the hip remains in the correct position. Rehabilitation exercises may also be recommended to restore strength and mobility to the hip joint as the patient progresses in their recovery.

Short Descr TREAT HIP DISLOCATION
Medium Descr CLTX HIP DISLOCATION TRAUMATIC REQ ANESTHESIA
Long Descr Closed treatment of hip dislocation, traumatic; requiring anesthesia
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) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this 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) P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 146 - Treatment, fracture or dislocation of hip and femur
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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).
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.
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.)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
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
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