Routine replacement of exsiting knee and hip joints
My question is related to the revision of an existing hip or knee prosthesis related to wear and tear or loosening. Several of these are 8-10 years later. Our orthopedic MD is using a diagnosis of Failed Knee or Hip Replacement- this codes to a complication.. I tried to clarify this with the MD and he feels it is not a complication but routine based on the longevity of a prosthesis He did not have any ideas for a different Principal diagnosis.. Do you have any suggestions for a Principal Diagnosis that would be more appropriate so it is not a complication?
Comments
We recently had a pt that had to have some back hardware replaced and the dx the MD used goes to a device complication also. The MD stated that the surgery was planned because they knew the hardware was going to need replacing. I believe that the coder queried and the MD stated not a complication and listed the dx that occasioned the hardware placement in the first place.
interested to see how others handle this.
Jeff