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CPT 23335: Removal of Shoulder Prosthesis, Humeral and Glenoid

CPT code 23335 denotes surgical removal of a shoulder prosthesis that involves both the humeral and glenoid components. This code captures a distinct, higher-complexity explantation procedure relative to single-component prosthesis removals and is important for accurately reflecting service intensity, operative resource use, and downstream care needs. Nationally, consistent use of this code supports appropriate claims processing and helps track surgical volume for complex shoulder revisions.

Key payers referenced in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement patterns across major payers, guidance on common billing modifiers and coding considerations, and clinical context about when a combined humeral-and-glenoid explantation is reported. The publication summarizes payer coverage themes, typical sites of service, and expected documentation elements necessary to support the procedure code. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 23335 describes removal of a shoulder prosthesis that involves both the humeral and glenoid components. This procedure is a surgical prosthesis removal of the shoulder joint when both major implant surfaces are explanted.

Service type: Surgical explantation of shoulder prosthesis involving both humeral and glenoid components
Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center

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CPT 23335: Removal of Shoulder Prosthesis, Humeral and Glenoid

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Surgical explantation of shoulder prosthesis involving both humeral and glenoid components
Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is a 68-year-old with a prior total shoulder arthroplasty who presents with progressive pain, loosening, recurrent infection, or instability of the prosthetic shoulder. Imaging (plain radiographs, CT) demonstrates humeral and glenoid component loosening and surrounding osteolysis. The orthopaedic surgeon schedules a procedure to remove both humeral and glenoid prosthetic components (CPT 23335). Preoperative workflow includes orthopedic evaluation, infection workup (CBC, ESR, CRP, aspiration if infection suspected), medication reconciliation, and anesthesia assessment. Intraoperative workflow includes removal of both humeral and glenoid components, debridement of periprosthetic tissue, possible culture sampling, and placement of an antibiotic spacer if indicated. Postoperative care includes pain control, wound care, possible inpatient observation for infection or medical comorbidity management, and planning for revision arthroplasty or staged reimplantation as appropriate.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`00`	No modifier	Default when no modifier applies
`11`	Normally planned procedure	Use when service is performed as planned without complications
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than typical for `CPT 23335` (document rationale)
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when general anesthesia is not planned but used because of patient condition making local/monitored anesthesia inappropriate
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when both shoulders are operated on during the same session (rare for `CPT 23335`)
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when `CPT 23335` is performed with other distinct procedures during the same operative session
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as planned
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is terminated due to extenuating circumstances (e.g., adverse intraoperative event)
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons throughout the procedure
`78`	Unplanned return to OR	Use when patient returns to the operating room within the global period for a related procedure
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon provides intraoperative assistance
`81`	Minimum assistant surgeon	Use when a physician provides limited assistant services
`AS`	Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for Part B	Use when a qualified nonphysician practitioner performs or assists according to payer rules
`LT`	Left side	Use to indicate left shoulder when laterality is required

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207X00000X	Orthopaedic Surgery	Primary specialty performing shoulder prosthesis removal and revision planning
207L00000X	Hand Surgery (Orthopaedic)	Orthopaedic subspecialists experienced in complex shoulder reconstruction and revision arthroplasty
208000000X	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	Manages perioperative functional assessment and postoperative rehab planning
363LP0808X	Infectious Disease	Consulted when periprosthetic joint infection is suspected or confirmed

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M24.311`	Recurrent dislocation, right shoulder	Component instability or recurrent dislocation can necessitate prosthesis removal
`M24.312`	Recurrent dislocation, left shoulder	Same as above for left side
`T84.022A`	Infection and inflammatory reaction due to internal joint prosthesis, right shoulder, initial encounter	Periprosthetic joint infection is a common indication for removal of both humeral and glenoid components
`T84.021A`	Mechanical complication of internal joint prosthesis, right shoulder, initial encounter	Mechanical loosening or failure of prosthetic components prompts removal of both components
`M19.011`	Primary osteoarthritis, right shoulder	Advanced degenerative disease may lead to prior arthroplasty and subsequent revision or removal
`M75.11`	Rotator cuff tear, partial thickness, right shoulder	Rotator cuff failure associated with prosthesis problems can contribute to pain and dysfunction leading to component removal

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`23470`	Revision of total shoulder arthroplasty, with or without allograft; humeral or glenoid component (single component)	May be used when only one component is revised rather than removal of both components covered by `CPT 23335`
`23472`	Revision of total shoulder arthroplasty, with or without allograft; total shoulder (both components revised)	Often billed for reimplantation/revision following prosthesis removal once definitive revision is performed
`23700`	Excision of lesion or tissue, partial or complete, shoulder; extensive debridement (open)	May be performed concurrently for extensive debridement of infected or necrotic tissue during prosthesis removal
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder)	Preoperative diagnostic aspiration for suspected infection or postoperative aspirations for management
`11042`	Debridement; skin and subcutaneous tissue	Used for soft tissue debridement of the incision or adjacent infected tissue when billed separately

CPT 23330: Removal of Subcutaneous Foreign Body, Shoulder

CPT-23333-SHOULDER-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL-SUBFASCIAL-INTRAMUSCULAR

CPT 23333: Removal of Foreign Body from Shoulder Subfascial or Intramuscular Tissue

CPT-23334-SHOULDER-PROSTHESIS-REMOVAL-HUMERAL-GLENOID

CPT 23334: Removal of Shoulder Prosthesis, Humeral or Glenoid

CPT-23350-SHOULDER-ARTHROGRAPHY-CONTRAST-INJECTION

CPT 23350: Shoulder Arthrography Contrast Injection

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`00`	No modifier	Default when no modifier applies
`11`	Normally planned procedure	Use when service is performed as planned without complications
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required is substantially greater than typical for `CPT 23335` (document rationale)
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when general anesthesia is not planned but used because of patient condition making local/monitored anesthesia inappropriate
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when both shoulders are operated on during the same session (rare for `CPT 23335`)
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when `CPT 23335` is performed with other distinct procedures during the same operative session
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as planned
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is terminated due to extenuating circumstances (e.g., adverse intraoperative event)
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons throughout the procedure
`78`	Unplanned return to OR	Use when patient returns to the operating room within the global period for a related procedure
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon provides intraoperative assistance
`81`	Minimum assistant surgeon	Use when a physician provides limited assistant services
`AS`	Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for Part B	Use when a qualified nonphysician practitioner performs or assists according to payer rules
`LT`	Left side	Use to indicate left shoulder when laterality is required

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207X00000X	Orthopaedic Surgery	Primary specialty performing shoulder prosthesis removal and revision planning
207L00000X	Hand Surgery (Orthopaedic)	Orthopaedic subspecialists experienced in complex shoulder reconstruction and revision arthroplasty
208000000X	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	Manages perioperative functional assessment and postoperative rehab planning
363LP0808X	Infectious Disease	Consulted when periprosthetic joint infection is suspected or confirmed

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M24.311`	Recurrent dislocation, right shoulder	Component instability or recurrent dislocation can necessitate prosthesis removal
`M24.312`	Recurrent dislocation, left shoulder	Same as above for left side
`T84.022A`	Infection and inflammatory reaction due to internal joint prosthesis, right shoulder, initial encounter	Periprosthetic joint infection is a common indication for removal of both humeral and glenoid components
`T84.021A`	Mechanical complication of internal joint prosthesis, right shoulder, initial encounter	Mechanical loosening or failure of prosthetic components prompts removal of both components
`M19.011`	Primary osteoarthritis, right shoulder	Advanced degenerative disease may lead to prior arthroplasty and subsequent revision or removal
`M75.11`	Rotator cuff tear, partial thickness, right shoulder	Rotator cuff failure associated with prosthesis problems can contribute to pain and dysfunction leading to component removal

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`23470`	Revision of total shoulder arthroplasty, with or without allograft; humeral or glenoid component (single component)	May be used when only one component is revised rather than removal of both components covered by `CPT 23335`
`23472`	Revision of total shoulder arthroplasty, with or without allograft; total shoulder (both components revised)	Often billed for reimplantation/revision following prosthesis removal once definitive revision is performed
`23700`	Excision of lesion or tissue, partial or complete, shoulder; extensive debridement (open)	May be performed concurrently for extensive debridement of infected or necrotic tissue during prosthesis removal
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder)	Preoperative diagnostic aspiration for suspected infection or postoperative aspirations for management
`11042`	Debridement; skin and subcutaneous tissue	Used for soft tissue debridement of the incision or adjacent infected tissue when billed separately

CPT 23330: Removal of Subcutaneous Foreign Body, Shoulder

CPT-23333-SHOULDER-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL-SUBFASCIAL-INTRAMUSCULAR

CPT 23333: Removal of Foreign Body from Shoulder Subfascial or Intramuscular Tissue

CPT-23334-SHOULDER-PROSTHESIS-REMOVAL-HUMERAL-GLENOID

CPT 23334: Removal of Shoulder Prosthesis, Humeral or Glenoid

CPT-23350-SHOULDER-ARTHROGRAPHY-CONTRAST-INJECTION

CPT 23350: Shoulder Arthrography Contrast Injection

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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CPT 23335: Removal of Shoulder Prosthesis, Humeral and Glenoid

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Billing Code Overview

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CPT 23335: Removal of Shoulder Prosthesis, Humeral and Glenoid

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 23335: Removal of Shoulder Prosthesis, Humeral and Glenoid

Sign up for cpt 23335 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

CPT 23335: Removal of Shoulder Prosthesis, Humeral and Glenoid

Sign up for cpt 23335 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

When should I use CPT 23335?

What clinical scenarios typically justify reporting CPT 23335?

Which modifiers are commonly applied to CPT 23335 and when are they appropriate?

What related CPT codes might appear with or instead of 23335?

Which specialties and taxonomy codes are typically involved in cases billed with CPT 23335?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

When should I use CPT 23335?

What clinical scenarios typically justify reporting CPT 23335?

Which modifiers are commonly applied to CPT 23335 and when are they appropriate?

What related CPT codes might appear with or instead of 23335?

Which specialties and taxonomy codes are typically involved in cases billed with CPT 23335?

References