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CPT 27580: Knee Arthrodesis (Knee Joint Fusion)

CPT code 27580 defines surgical arthrodesis (fusion) of the knee joint and is applied when joint preservation is untenable due to infection, failed total knee arthroplasty, loss of quadriceps function, congenital femoral dysgenesis, or similar severe conditions. Nationally, this procedure is an important, though infrequent, option for limb salvage and pain control in complex orthopedic cases and carries implications for surgical resource use, postacute care, and long-term functional outcomes.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical intent and typical service settings, benchmarking context relative to major payers, and policy-relevant details that affect authorization, coverage pathways, and site-of-service considerations. The publication provides a clinical-context summary, common billing modifiers and administrative notes (where available), and guidance on topics readers frequently seek about coding, documentation, and payer interactions for complex knee fusion cases.

Data not available in the input for specific line-item benchmarks, associated taxonomies, and ICD-10 mappings.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 27580 describes arthrodesis or fusion of the knee joint, performed by the provider using any technique. This procedure is used to create a stable, pain-free knee by surgically fusing the femur and tibia when joint preservation is not feasible.

Service type: Surgical orthopedics — knee arthrodesis/fusion
Typical site of service: Inpatient or outpatient hospital surgical setting; may also be performed in ambulatory surgery centers depending on clinical complexity and institutional capability.

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CPT 27580: Knee Arthrodesis (Knee Joint Fusion)

Data not available in the input for specific line-item benchmarks, associated taxonomies, and ICD-10 mappings.

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Surgical orthopedics — knee arthrodesis/fusion
Typical site of service: Inpatient or outpatient hospital surgical setting; may also be performed in ambulatory surgery centers depending on clinical complexity and institutional capability.

Data not available in the input.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 68-year-old male with a long-standing history of right total knee arthroplasty presents with chronic pain, deep periprosthetic infection confirmed by aspiration culture, and radiographic loosening of the prosthesis. The patient has marked instability and loss of effective quadriceps mechanism. After failed attempts at irrigation and debridement and a staged revision, the orthopedic surgeon schedules a knee arthrodesis to address persistent infection and restore a stable, pain-free limb capable of weightbearing.

The clinical workflow includes preoperative optimization (infection control, medical clearance, informed consent), intraoperative removal of any remaining hardware and infected tissue, preparation of joint surfaces, and fixation using an intramedullary rod or plate with bone graft as needed to achieve fusion. Perioperative antibiotics are administered based on cultures. Postoperative care includes immobilization, pain control, DVT prophylaxis, wound surveillance, and progressive weightbearing guided by radiographic evidence of fusion. Typical admission is to an inpatient hospital or specialized orthopedic surgical center with expected extended recovery and outpatient follow-up for radiographic checks and rehabilitation.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`11`	Provider is the usual or primary surgeon	Use when the reporting surgeon performed the primary portion of the arthrodesis.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when the procedure required substantially greater work than usual (extensive debridement, multiple prior surgeries, complex reconstruction).
`52`	Reduced services	Use if the arthrodesis was abbreviated or not completed as originally planned.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use if the procedure was started but discontinued due to extenuating circumstances.
`62`	Split (two surgeons)	Use when two surgeons of different specialties share primary responsibility for the procedure.
`63`	Procedure performed on infants less than 4 kg	Rarely applicable; include only when patient weight criterion is met.
`LT`	Left side	Use to designate the left knee arthrodesis.
`RT`	Right side	Use to designate the right knee arthrodesis.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use if both knees are fused during the same operative session.
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating room for a related procedure during the postoperative period	Use when reoperation for a complication related to the index arthrodesis occurs during the global period.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period	Use when an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period (note: `79` was not in the provided list; not included).
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Not in provided list; omitted.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207W00000X`	Orthopedic Surgery	Primary specialty performing knee arthrodesis; adult reconstruction subspecialists frequently perform this.
`2086S0102X`	Orthopedic Surgery, Foot & Ankle	May be involved when complex limb salvage procedures require multidisciplinary input (limited role).
`207LP2900X`	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	Manages postoperative rehabilitation and functional goals.
`363L00000X`	Infectious Disease	Provides perioperative and postoperative management of musculoskeletal infection.
`207X00000X`	General Orthopedics (Trauma)	Trauma orthopedic surgeons may perform arthrodesis in complex fracture or infected nonunion cases.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M00.861`	Other pyogenic arthritis, left knee	Indicates septic arthritis as an indication for knee fusion when infection is uncontrolled.
`M00.862`	Other pyogenic arthritis, right knee	Same relevance for right-sided infection leading to arthrodesis.
`T84.54XA`	Infection and inflammatory reaction due to internal joint prosthesis, initial encounter	Relevant for periprosthetic joint infection prompting arthrodesis after failed revision.
`M21.36`	Secondary osteonecrosis of right knee	Aseptic bone loss/necrosis can lead to loss of joint function and need for fusion.
`M22.2`	Recurrent dislocation of patella	Severe instability and extensor mechanism failure may contribute to decision for arthrodesis.
`M17.9`	Osteoarthritis of knee, unspecified	End-stage osteoarthritis with failed arthroplasty or contraindication to revision may lead to fusion.
`Q71.0`	Congenital absence and hypoplasia of femur	Congenital dysgenesis contributing to joint instability or dysfunction managed with arthrodesis.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`20680`	Removal of implant; deep (e.g., intramedullary rod)	Performed before or during knee arthrodesis to remove failed prosthesis or hardware.
`27096`	Excision of proximal tibial lesion, open; with or without graft	May be used when debridement requires resection of tibial bone during preparation for fusion.
`22830`	Arthrodesis, posterior or posterolateral technique, single level; thoracic or lumbar — (Note: not directly related to knee)	Data not applicable; included only if spinal fusion is performed concurrently — otherwise not used.
`27447`	Arthroplasty, knee, revision (total knee)	Often part of the differential coding context; performed when conversion to another revision is attempted prior to fusion.
`20930`	Allograft, morselized, or placement of bone graft	Used when structural or morselized bone graft is placed to enhance fusion during arthrodesis.

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

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

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.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`11`	Provider is the usual or primary surgeon	Use when the reporting surgeon performed the primary portion of the arthrodesis.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when the procedure required substantially greater work than usual (extensive debridement, multiple prior surgeries, complex reconstruction).
`52`	Reduced services	Use if the arthrodesis was abbreviated or not completed as originally planned.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use if the procedure was started but discontinued due to extenuating circumstances.
`62`	Split (two surgeons)	Use when two surgeons of different specialties share primary responsibility for the procedure.
`63`	Procedure performed on infants less than 4 kg	Rarely applicable; include only when patient weight criterion is met.
`LT`	Left side	Use to designate the left knee arthrodesis.
`RT`	Right side	Use to designate the right knee arthrodesis.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use if both knees are fused during the same operative session.
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating room for a related procedure during the postoperative period	Use when reoperation for a complication related to the index arthrodesis occurs during the global period.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period	Use when an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period (note: `79` was not in the provided list; not included).
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Not in provided list; omitted.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207W00000X`	Orthopedic Surgery	Primary specialty performing knee arthrodesis; adult reconstruction subspecialists frequently perform this.
`2086S0102X`	Orthopedic Surgery, Foot & Ankle	May be involved when complex limb salvage procedures require multidisciplinary input (limited role).
`207LP2900X`	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	Manages postoperative rehabilitation and functional goals.
`363L00000X`	Infectious Disease	Provides perioperative and postoperative management of musculoskeletal infection.
`207X00000X`	General Orthopedics (Trauma)	Trauma orthopedic surgeons may perform arthrodesis in complex fracture or infected nonunion cases.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M00.861`	Other pyogenic arthritis, left knee	Indicates septic arthritis as an indication for knee fusion when infection is uncontrolled.
`M00.862`	Other pyogenic arthritis, right knee	Same relevance for right-sided infection leading to arthrodesis.
`T84.54XA`	Infection and inflammatory reaction due to internal joint prosthesis, initial encounter	Relevant for periprosthetic joint infection prompting arthrodesis after failed revision.
`M21.36`	Secondary osteonecrosis of right knee	Aseptic bone loss/necrosis can lead to loss of joint function and need for fusion.
`M22.2`	Recurrent dislocation of patella	Severe instability and extensor mechanism failure may contribute to decision for arthrodesis.
`M17.9`	Osteoarthritis of knee, unspecified	End-stage osteoarthritis with failed arthroplasty or contraindication to revision may lead to fusion.
`Q71.0`	Congenital absence and hypoplasia of femur	Congenital dysgenesis contributing to joint instability or dysfunction managed with arthrodesis.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`20680`	Removal of implant; deep (e.g., intramedullary rod)	Performed before or during knee arthrodesis to remove failed prosthesis or hardware.
`27096`	Excision of proximal tibial lesion, open; with or without graft	May be used when debridement requires resection of tibial bone during preparation for fusion.
`22830`	Arthrodesis, posterior or posterolateral technique, single level; thoracic or lumbar — (Note: not directly related to knee)	Data not applicable; included only if spinal fusion is performed concurrently — otherwise not used.
`27447`	Arthroplasty, knee, revision (total knee)	Often part of the differential coding context; performed when conversion to another revision is attempted prior to fusion.
`20930`	Allograft, morselized, or placement of bone graft	Used when structural or morselized bone graft is placed to enhance fusion during arthrodesis.

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

Published by

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

OpenPayer

CPT 27580: Knee Arthrodesis (Knee Joint Fusion)

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Billing Code Overview

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OpenPayer

CPT 27580: Knee Arthrodesis (Knee Joint Fusion)

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

References