Summary & Overview
CPT 27006: Open Tenotomy of Hip Abductor/Extensor Muscles
CPT code 27006 designates an open tenotomy of one or more abductor and/or extensor muscles of the hip — a surgical intervention used to release contracted tendons and improve hip function. This code captures a specific operative technique relevant to orthopedic and pediatric surgical practices and can affect facility and professional billing across inpatient and outpatient surgical settings. Nationally, accurate use of this code matters for proper procedural reporting, surgical quality measurement, and reimbursement alignment for musculoskeletal surgical care.
Key payers in this national overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical context for the procedure, typical settings where it is performed, and the implications for coding and billing workflows. The publication provides benchmarks where available, outlines common modifier usage patterns provided in the input, and summarizes policy considerations and documentation expectations tied to operative reporting. Where specific inputs were not provided, the text notes that data is not available in the input.
This summary equips coding professionals, hospital billing teams, and clinicians with a clear understanding of what CPT code 27006 represents, the clinical scenarios that prompt its use, and the payer environment relevant to nationwide billing and documentation practices.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 27006 describes an open tenotomy of one or more abductor and/or extensor muscles of the hip, a surgical procedure that involves the deliberate division of tendon tissue to release tightness or correct muscle imbalance. This procedure is typically performed by orthopedic surgeons or pediatric orthopedic specialists when conservative measures fail to address functional limitations caused by contracted or spastic hip musculature.
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Service type: Surgical procedure — open tenotomy of hip abductors and/or extensors
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or outpatient surgical center, depending on clinical complexity and patient factors
Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and payers.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adolescent or adult presenting with hip pain, limited gait function, or spastic deformity secondary to neuromuscular conditions (for example cerebral palsy) or chronic tendinopathy. The patient has failed conservative measures including physical therapy, stretching programs, orthotic management, and possibly corticosteroid injections. After orthopedic or pediatric orthopedic evaluation including focused history, physical exam, gait analysis, and imaging (plain radiographs and/or MRI as indicated), the surgeon documents localized contracture or tightness of one or more hip abductor or extensor tendons limiting function or causing pain.
Preoperative workflow includes informed consent, preoperative medical clearance, and anesthesia assessment. The procedure is performed in an operating room or ambulatory surgical center under general or regional anesthesia. The surgeon performs an open tenotomy of one or more abductor and/or extensor tendons of the hip to release contracture and improve range of motion and gait mechanics. Typical intraoperative steps include incision over the targeted tendon, identification and protection of local neurovascular structures, controlled division of the tendon, hemostasis, and layered closure. Postoperative care includes pain control, wound care, early mobilization or protected weight-bearing as indicated, and a rehabilitation plan with physical therapy to maximize functional gains and prevent recurrence.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 |