CPT 27306: Percutaneous Tenotomy of Adductor or Hamstring - OpenPayer

Summary & Overview

CPT 27306: Percutaneous Tenotomy of Adductor or Hamstring

CPT code 27306 denotes a percutaneous tenotomy of a single adductor or hamstring tendon—a targeted, minimally invasive surgical release used to address tendon tightness or contracture. Nationally, this code matters because it captures a focused procedure performed across multiple ambulatory and outpatient settings, with implications for surgical utilization, care setting choice, and reimbursement for minor musculoskeletal procedures. Key payers included in the analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.

Readers will learn what CPT code 27306 represents clinically, where the service is typically performed, and how it is categorized for billing. The publication summarizes payer coverage patterns, common billing modifiers, and typical procedural context to aid revenue cycle and clinical coding teams. It also provides benchmarks and policy-related updates relevant to minor percutaneous musculoskeletal procedures, and highlights clinical considerations that affect coding and site-of-service decisions. Data not available in the input for specific payers, taxonomies, and ICD-10 linkage is noted within relevant sections.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicareCPT 27306percutaneous tenotomytenotomyorthopedic surgeryambulatory surgerymusculoskeletal proceduresprocedure codingoutpatient surgery

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 27306 describes a percutaneous tenotomy, a procedure in which a provider divides a single tendon of the adductor or hamstring through a small incision in the skin. This is a minor surgical tendon release intended to reduce tendon tightness or contracture.

Service type: Percutaneous tendon release / tenotomy
Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient setting; may also be performed in an office-based procedure room depending on clinical setting and provider capability.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adolescent or young adult presenting with persistent groin or posterior thigh pain, limited hip or knee motion, or functional impairment from tight adductor or hamstring musculotendinous units refractory to conservative care. The patient has failed physical therapy, stretching, activity modification, and injections for at least several months. On examination there is focal tendon tightness or contracture with decreased range of motion and positive provocative maneuvers. Imaging (ultrasound or MRI) may show tendon shortening or tendinopathy without full-thickness rupture. The care pathway includes preoperative assessment, informed consent, perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis as indicated, local or general anesthesia, percutaneous tenotomy through a small skin incision to divide a single adductor or hamstring tendon (27306), brief intraoperative hemostasis, and immediate postprocedure rehabilitation focusing on range of motion and gradual strengthening. Typical sites of service are the ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department; in select minor cases with local anesthesia it may be performed in an office procedure room consistent with facility policies. Documentation includes indication, prior conservative treatments, tendon targeted, anesthesia type, side (LT or RT), incision description, intraoperative findings, and postoperative instructions including weight-bearing and therapy plan.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use

CPT 27307: Percutaneous Tenotomy of Adductors/Hamstrings

cpt-27303-incision-of-bone-cortex-upper-leg-knee

CPT 27303: Incision of Bone Cortex, Upper Leg/Knee

cpt-27305-iliotibial-band-open-tenotomy

CPT 27305: Open Tenotomy of the Iliotibial Band

cpt-27310-knee-arthrotomy-exploration-and-drainage

CPT 27310: Knee Arthrotomy for Exploration and Drainage

cpt-27301-deep-thigh-knee-abscess-drainage

CPT 27301: Incision and Drainage of Deep Thigh or Knee Abscess

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RC0000X	Orthopaedic Surgery	Most common specialty performing tendon tenotomies around the hip and thigh.
208000000X	Family Medicine	May perform percutaneous tenotomies in outpatient procedural settings for select indications.
208600000X	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	May perform procedures for spasticity-related tenotomy in select practice settings.
208800000X	Sports Medicine	Subspecialists performing tendon procedures related to athletic injuries.
2084P0800X	Pain Medicine	May be involved when tenotomy is performed for pain relief in selected patients.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M62.50`	Muscle wasting and atrophy, unspecified site	Relevant when tendon tightness is associated with muscle imbalance contributing to contracture.
`M62.81`	Muscle weakness (generalized)	Relevant when tenotomy is considered to improve function in the setting of focal muscle imbalance.
`M24.2`	Disorder of ligament, joint capsule and other soft tissue, not elsewhere classified	Used for unspecified soft tissue contractures or scarring causing limited motion.
`M24.4`	Recurrent dislocation and subluxation of joint	May be associated when adductor tightness contributes to hip instability and tenotomy is part of management.
`G83.4`	Cauda equina syndrome and other and unspecified paralytic syndromes of lower limb	Used in contexts of spasticity or paralysis where tenotomy is performed to improve positioning or hygiene.
`G82.20`	Paraplegia, unspecified	Relevant when muscle contracture due to paralysis necessitates tenotomy for care or function.
`M76.89`	Other enthesopathy of lower limb, including hip	Relevant for tendinopathy affecting hamstring or adductor insertions considered for tenotomy.
`M99.01`	Segmental and somatic dysfunction of head region	Data not available in the input.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (e.g., hip)	May be performed preprocedure for diagnostic or therapeutic injection of bursa or joint to aid diagnosis or symptom control prior to tenotomy.
`20550`	Injection(s); single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis (e.g., plantar "fascia")	Used when percutaneous tendon sheath injections (corticosteroid or biologic) are attempted prior to proceeding to `27306`.
`26010`	Tenotomy, open; tendon sheath, tendon origin or insertion (e.g., epicondyle)	Represents an open tenotomy technique that may be an alternative when percutaneous tenotomy (`27306`) is not appropriate.
`27320`	Repair, primary, tendon or muscle, leg or knee area	Used when a repair or more extensive open procedure is required after tenotomy or for concurrent tendon repair.
`99024`	Postoperative follow-up visit, global period, related to the procedure	Used for routine postoperative global period visits following `27306`.
`99070`	Supplies and materials (e.g., sterile dressings), used during the procedure, not included in the basic service	May be billed when additional disposable supplies are provided that are not included in facility or global fee.

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