CPT code 27487 refers to a procedure where a previously replaced knee joint is modified or fixed, mainly dealing with the parts that connect the thigh bone and shin bone.
Procedure Explanation:
This surgery is about fixing or changing certain parts of a knee replacement. Sometimes, parts involving the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) need to be replaced entirely. The procedure may or may not use additional bone material from a donor. It includes replacing these main components but doesn’t cover adjustments to smaller parts or other parts of the knee.
Common Names:
- Knee Revision Surgery
- Revision Knee Replacement
- Total Knee Arthroplasty Revision
Relative Value Units (RVU):
The RVUs associated with this code are 27.11.
How This Procedure Appears:
- Operating Room Schedule Name: Full Knee Revision
- Surgical Consent Form Name: Revision of Complete Knee Replacement
Typical Patients and Diagnoses:
This procedure is often performed on patients who’ve had knee replacements that didn’t hold up over time. For example, someone experiencing instability or pain in an old knee replacement might need this surgery. It’s also common if a previous knee implant has come loose or isn’t as secure as it should be.
Associated ICD-10 Codes:
- T84.84XA: Pain due to internal orthopedic prosthetic devices, implants, and grafts, initial encounter. This is for when a person feels pain from a knee replacement.
- T84.90XA: Infection and inflammatory reaction due to unspecified internal prosthetic devices, implants, and grafts, initial encounter. This code is used if there’s an infection around the knee replacement.
- Z47.1: Aftercare following joint replacement surgery. It indicates follow-up care for someone who has had a joint replacement, like a knee.
Summary
In summary, code 27487 describes the process of revising a total knee replacement, focusing mainly on significant parts of the knee joint. Typical ICD-10 codes associated with 27487 include T84.84XA (pain from an implant) and T84.90XA (infection around an implant).
Disclaimer
This post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. “CPT” and CPT Codes are registered trademarks of the American Medical Association. HCPCS codes are managed by Medicare and are not subject to copyright.