Summary & Overview
CPT 27509: Percutaneous Fixation of Femoral Condylar Fracture
CPT code 27509 covers percutaneous fixation of femoral condylar fractures using pins, screws, or wires, and may include correction of intercondylar extension or distal femoral epiphyseal separation. This procedure is clinically significant for restoring joint surface anatomy and mechanical stability, reducing long-term disability and post-traumatic arthritis risk. Nationally, accurate coding of operative fracture fixation drives appropriate claims processing, quality measurement, and aggregate utilization assessment for orthopedic trauma care.
Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical intent and typical care settings for the code, payer coverage context, and the types of benchmarks and policy considerations relevant to fracture fixation coding and reimbursement. The publication summarizes common modifiers and related administrative considerations where available and highlights clinical context that informs coding choices.
The report is intended to help billing managers, orthopedic clinicians, and policy analysts understand the code’s clinical scope, where it is commonly billed, and what topics to review for payer-specific policies and benchmarks. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 27509 describes a percutaneous internal fixation procedure for a femoral condylar fracture. The provider stabilizes a condylar fracture of the femur by inserting a pin, screw, or wire through the skin and into the bone. The procedure may include correction for an intercondylar extension or distal femoral epiphyseal separation. The primary goal is to attain stable alignment to promote normal bone healing.
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Service type: Percutaneous open or closed fixation of femoral condylar fracture
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Typical site of service: Hospital inpatient or outpatient surgical center, or ambulatory surgical facility where operative fracture fixation is performed
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult who sustained a distal femur condylar or intercondylar fracture from a fall from height or motor vehicle collision. The patient presents to the emergency department with severe knee pain, swelling, deformity, and limited ability to bear weight. Initial evaluation includes history, focused musculoskeletal and neurovascular exam of the injured limb, and trauma assessment as appropriate. Imaging with orthogonal radiographs of the knee and distal femur is obtained; CT may be performed for complex intra-articular extension. After diagnosis of a displaced femoral condylar fracture, the orthopaedic trauma surgeon performs a percutaneous fixation procedure under regional or general anesthesia, using fluoroscopic guidance to insert pins, screws, or wires through the skin into the bone to stabilize the condyle and restore joint alignment. The procedure may include closed reduction maneuvers and limited open exposure if necessary for fracture reduction. Typical site of service is an operating room or ambulatory surgical center for urgent or scheduled operative management. Postoperative workflow includes immediate neurovascular checks, pain control, immobilization in a knee brace or splint, weight-bearing status instruction, and scheduling of follow-up radiographs and clinic visits for wound and fracture healing assessment.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when work, time, and complexity are substantially greater than typical for . |