Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Shoulder resurfacing arthroplasty.
Description
Degenerative disease (such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) can cause pain in the shoulder, particularly when the arm is moved.
Shoulder resurfacing involves joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty). Using open surgery, the end of the upper arm bone is reshaped, a small anchoring hole is drilled into the bone and an artificial shoulder joint is placed onto it.
Coding recommendations
One of the following codes is used depending on whether cement is used or not, or not known:
W49.4 Resurfacing hemiarthroplasty of head of humerus using cement
W50.4 Resurfacing hemiarthroplasty of head of humerus not using cement
W51.5 Resurfacing hemiarthroplasty of head of humerus NEC
If both the humerus and the glenoid surface of the scapula are resurfaced then the appropriate codes are:
W58.1 Primary resurfacing arthroplasty of joint
Z81.3 Glenohumeral joint