CPT 27390: Open Tenotomy of Hamstring Tendon

Medicare pays $431 on average nationally for this procedure.

CPT code 27390 describes an open tenotomy of any single hamstring tendon (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, or semimembranosus) performed to surgically divide the tendon from knee to hip; this procedure is a surgical tendon release typically performed in an operating room or ambulatory surgery center under regional or general anesthesia and is classified as an invasive orthopedic soft-tissue procedure affecting the posterior thigh and knee region.

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CPT 27390: Open Tenotomy of Hamstring Tendon

Medicare pays $431 on average nationally for this procedure.

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Sign up for cpt 27390 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 27390 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult or adolescent presenting with chronic hamstring tightness, scarring, or tendon contracture after trauma, failed conservative care, or neuromuscular imbalance causing significant functional limitation, gait disturbance, or knee flexion impairment. The patient often reports posterior thigh pain, decreased hip extension, and difficulty with ambulation or athletic activity despite physical therapy, injections, and orthotic measures. Preoperative workup includes focused history and physical exam documenting range-of-motion deficits and focal tendon pathology, imaging as indicated (MRI or ultrasound of the posterior thigh), and discussion of surgical risks and expected outcomes.

In the clinical workflow, the patient is evaluated in an outpatient orthopedic or sports medicine clinic. Indications for an open hamstring tenotomy (CPT 27390) are confirmed and informed consent is obtained. The procedure is typically performed in an operating room or ambulatory surgery center under regional or general anesthesia. Preoperative antibiotics and standard sterile technique are used. The surgeon makes an open incision to identify and surgically divide the involved hamstring tendon (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, or semimembranosus) to relieve contracture or correct deformity. Postoperative care includes wound checks, pain control, physical therapy for range-of-motion and strengthening, and activity restrictions until healing and functional improvement are achieved.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`27395`	Tenotomy, percutaneous, hamstring (tendon sectioning)	Alternative, less invasive approach; may be performed in lieu of `27390` when appropriate.
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (eg, shoulder, hip, knee)	May be used preoperatively for diagnostic or therapeutic injection to differentiate tendon vs intra-articular pain.
`27096`	Excision of tumor or other lesion of muscle, fascia, or tendon (eg, hamstring)	Performed when a mass or adhesions require excision in addition to or instead of tenotomy.
`27079`	Muscle, tendon, or fascia procedures, not otherwise specified (unlisted pelvic/hip procedure)	Used if procedure performed has components not described by `27390` and additional documentation is required.
`99024`	Postoperative follow-up visit global period	Used for routine postoperative visits during the global period to report postoperative evaluation and management when payer requires explicit reporting.

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
47	Modifier -47 (“Anesthesia by Surgeon”) is appended to a surgical or procedural CPT code when the surgeon personally provides regional or general anesthesia for the procedure. Use of -47 indicates the…	- Use modifier -47 when the surgeon personally provides regional or general anesthesia during the surgical procedure (i.e., the surgeon administers the anesthesia in addition to performing the…
57	CPT® modifier -57 (“Decision for Surgery”) is appended to an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service when that encounter results in the initial decision to perform a major surgery (a procedure with a…	- Use modifier 57 when an E/M service provided by the same provider (or same tax ID) on the day of or the day before a major surgical procedure (90‑day global period) results in the initial decision…
P5	Modifier P5 denotes a moribund patient who is not expected to survive without the operative procedure and is used only with anesthesia CPT codes 00100–01999. The anesthesia provider must append P5…	- Use modifier P5 only when the anesthesia provider determines the patient is moribund and not expected to survive without the operation, and append it only to anesthesia CPT codes 00100–01999…
95	Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…	- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…
56	Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…	- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
208000000X	Pediatrics Physician	A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
2081N0008X	Neuromuscular Medicine (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) Physician	A physician who specializes in neuromuscular medicine possesses specialized knowledge in the science, clinical evaluation and management of these diso…
163WP0218X	Pediatric Oncology Registered Nurse	Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
225XE1200X	Ergonomics Occupational Therapist	Respiratory, Developmental, Rehabilitative and Restorative Service Providers · Occupational Therapist
2251N0400X	Neurology Physical Therapist	A licensed physical therapist, including but not limited to an individual who is a Board Certified Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy, who has …
364SL0600X	Long-Term Care Clinical Nurse Specialist	Physician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
317400000X	Deactivated - Christian Science Facility	Inactive, use 282J00000X

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 3

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Osteochondral Grafting of the Knee	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Resurfacing	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Lumbar Fusion (arthrodesis) with decompression	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion or Stabilization	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Percutaneous Vertebroplasty/Mechanical Vertebral Augmentation and Percutaneous Sacroplasty	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Shoulder Open Procedures	Premera Bluecross	2026-09-04

CPT 27380: Primary Repair of Infrapatellar (Patellar) Tendon

CPT-27381-SECONDARY-INFRAPATELLAR-TENDON-REPAIR

CPT 27381: Secondary Repair of Infrapatellar Tendon

CPT-27385-HAMSTRING-QUADRICEPS-RUPTURE-REPAIR-SUTURE

CPT 27385: Primary Repair of Hamstring or Quadriceps Rupture

CPT-27386-SECONDARY-QUADRICEPS-HAMSTRING-REPAIR-AUTOGRAFT

CPT 27386: Secondary Repair of Quadriceps or Hamstring with Graft

CPT-27391-OPEN-HAMSTRING-TENOTOMY

CPT 27391: Open Tenotomy of Multiple Hamstring Tendons

CPT-27392-OPEN-TENOTOMY-HAMSTRING-BILATERAL

CPT 27392: Open Bilateral Hamstring Tenotomy

CPT-27393-HAMSTRING-TENDON-LENGTHENING

CPT 27393: Hamstring Tendon Lengthening

CPT-27394-HAMSTRING-TENDON-LENGTHENING-UNILATERAL

CPT 27394: Hamstring Tendon Lengthening, Unilateral

CPT-27395-HAMSTRING-TENDON-LENGTHENING-BILATERAL

CPT 27395: Bilateral Hamstring Tendon Lengthening

CPT-27396-THIGH-TENDON-TRANSFER

CPT 27396: Thigh Muscle Tendon Transfer or Transplant

Showing 1–10 of 59

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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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`27395`	Tenotomy, percutaneous, hamstring (tendon sectioning)	Alternative, less invasive approach; may be performed in lieu of `27390` when appropriate.
`20610`	Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (eg, shoulder, hip, knee)	May be used preoperatively for diagnostic or therapeutic injection to differentiate tendon vs intra-articular pain.
`27096`	Excision of tumor or other lesion of muscle, fascia, or tendon (eg, hamstring)	Performed when a mass or adhesions require excision in addition to or instead of tenotomy.
`27079`	Muscle, tendon, or fascia procedures, not otherwise specified (unlisted pelvic/hip procedure)	Used if procedure performed has components not described by `27390` and additional documentation is required.
`99024`	Postoperative follow-up visit global period	Used for routine postoperative visits during the global period to report postoperative evaluation and management when payer requires explicit reporting.

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
47	Modifier -47 (“Anesthesia by Surgeon”) is appended to a surgical or procedural CPT code when the surgeon personally provides regional or general anesthesia for the procedure. Use of -47 indicates the…	- Use modifier -47 when the surgeon personally provides regional or general anesthesia during the surgical procedure (i.e., the surgeon administers the anesthesia in addition to performing the…
57	CPT® modifier -57 (“Decision for Surgery”) is appended to an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service when that encounter results in the initial decision to perform a major surgery (a procedure with a…	- Use modifier 57 when an E/M service provided by the same provider (or same tax ID) on the day of or the day before a major surgical procedure (90‑day global period) results in the initial decision…
P5	Modifier P5 denotes a moribund patient who is not expected to survive without the operative procedure and is used only with anesthesia CPT codes 00100–01999. The anesthesia provider must append P5…	- Use modifier P5 only when the anesthesia provider determines the patient is moribund and not expected to survive without the operation, and append it only to anesthesia CPT codes 00100–01999…
95	Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…	- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…
56	Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…	- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
208000000X	Pediatrics Physician	A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
2081N0008X	Neuromuscular Medicine (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) Physician	A physician who specializes in neuromuscular medicine possesses specialized knowledge in the science, clinical evaluation and management of these diso…
163WP0218X	Pediatric Oncology Registered Nurse	Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
225XE1200X	Ergonomics Occupational Therapist	Respiratory, Developmental, Rehabilitative and Restorative Service Providers · Occupational Therapist
2251N0400X	Neurology Physical Therapist	A licensed physical therapist, including but not limited to an individual who is a Board Certified Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy, who has …
364SL0600X	Long-Term Care Clinical Nurse Specialist	Physician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
317400000X	Deactivated - Christian Science Facility	Inactive, use 282J00000X

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 3

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Osteochondral Grafting of the Knee	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Resurfacing	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Lumbar Fusion (arthrodesis) with decompression	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion or Stabilization	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Percutaneous Vertebroplasty/Mechanical Vertebral Augmentation and Percutaneous Sacroplasty	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Shoulder Open Procedures	Premera Bluecross	2026-09-04

CPT 27380: Primary Repair of Infrapatellar (Patellar) Tendon

CPT-27381-SECONDARY-INFRAPATELLAR-TENDON-REPAIR

CPT 27381: Secondary Repair of Infrapatellar Tendon

CPT-27385-HAMSTRING-QUADRICEPS-RUPTURE-REPAIR-SUTURE

CPT 27385: Primary Repair of Hamstring or Quadriceps Rupture

CPT-27386-SECONDARY-QUADRICEPS-HAMSTRING-REPAIR-AUTOGRAFT

CPT 27386: Secondary Repair of Quadriceps or Hamstring with Graft

CPT-27391-OPEN-HAMSTRING-TENOTOMY

CPT 27391: Open Tenotomy of Multiple Hamstring Tendons

CPT-27392-OPEN-TENOTOMY-HAMSTRING-BILATERAL

CPT 27392: Open Bilateral Hamstring Tenotomy

CPT-27393-HAMSTRING-TENDON-LENGTHENING

CPT 27393: Hamstring Tendon Lengthening

CPT-27394-HAMSTRING-TENDON-LENGTHENING-UNILATERAL

CPT 27394: Hamstring Tendon Lengthening, Unilateral

CPT-27395-HAMSTRING-TENDON-LENGTHENING-BILATERAL

CPT 27395: Bilateral Hamstring Tendon Lengthening

CPT-27396-THIGH-TENDON-TRANSFER

CPT 27396: Thigh Muscle Tendon Transfer or Transplant

Showing 1–10 of 59

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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

CPT 27390: Open Tenotomy of Hamstring Tendon

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CPT 27390: Open Tenotomy of Hamstring Tendon

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

CPT 27390: Open Tenotomy of Hamstring Tendon

Sign up for cpt 27390 policy alerts

CPT 27390: Open Tenotomy of Hamstring Tendon

Sign up for cpt 27390 policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT 27390 represent and where is it typically performed?

What clinical indications and preoperative evaluation are described for an open hamstring tenotomy?

What related CPT codes should be considered in relation to CPT 27390?

Which ICD‑10 diagnoses are listed as related to this procedure?

Which payers are noted and does the page provide reimbursement amounts or payer‑specific coverage policy?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT 27390 represent and where is it typically performed?

What clinical indications and preoperative evaluation are described for an open hamstring tenotomy?

What related CPT codes should be considered in relation to CPT 27390?

Which ICD‑10 diagnoses are listed as related to this procedure?

Which payers are noted and does the page provide reimbursement amounts or payer‑specific coverage policy?

References