Orthopaedic Procedure Code Finder

Hip replacement

• W3712Primary THR – unilateral
• W3713Complex primary THR (graft/femoral osteotomy)
• W3717Minimally invasive THR – unilateral
• W3780THR – bilateral
• W3714THR after previous surgery / conversion

Robotic hip & knee

• W3720Robotic THR – unilateral
• W3721Robotic THR – bilateral
• W5830Robotic TKR – unilateral
• W5831Robotic TKR – bilateral
• W5820Robotic UKR – unilateral
• W5821Robotic UKR – bilateral

Knee replacement

• W4210Primary TKR – unilateral
• W4200Complex primary TKR (graft/augment/osteotomy)
• W4212Minimally invasive TKR
• W4280TKR – bilateral

Partial knee replacement

• W5200Unicompartmental (UKR) – unilateral
• W5201UKR – bilateral
• W0632Patellofemoral replacement – unilateral
• W0633Patellofemoral replacement – bilateral
• W5300Bicompartmental knee resurfacing

Hip resurfacing

• W3715Hip resurfacing arthroplasty
• W3718Minimally invasive hip resurfacing
• W3719Hip resurfacing – bilateral

Revision hip (incl. revision of resurfacing)

• W3732Revision THR – without adjunctive procedures
• W3733Revision THR – with rings/plates/impaction graft
• W3740Second or further revision THR
• W3944Acetabular liner and head change
• W37422-stage revision THR for infection – 1st stage
• W37432-stage revision THR for infection – 2nd stage
• W3744Robotic revision THR

There is no code specifically for revising a hip resurfacing. Revision to a THR is normally claimed as a revision THR (W3732, or W3733 if reconstruction or grafting is needed). Confirm the code with the insurer at pre-authorisation.

Revision knee (incl. partial & PFJ)

• W4230Revision TKR – unilateral
• W4231Robotic revision TKR
• W4244Tibial liner exchange in TKR
• W42402-stage revision TKR for infection – 1st stage
• W42422-stage revision TKR for infection – 2nd stage
• W5210Revision of UKR
• W5800Conversion of UKR to TKR
• W5822Robotic revision of UKR

There is no code specifically for revising a patellofemoral replacement. Conversion of a PFJ to a TKR is usually claimed as a revision TKR (W4230) or a complex primary TKR (W4200), depending on the bone work involved. Confirm the code with the insurer at pre-authorisation.

Removal of metalwork

• W2830Removal of internal fixation (excl. K-wires) +/- image guidance
• W3530Removal of percutaneous wire

Joint injections (steroid, hyaluronic acid, Arthrosamid)

• W9040Steroid injection +/- aspiration – one joint, no image guidance
• W9030Steroid injection +/- aspiration – one joint, image guided
• W9045Steroid injection – two or more joints / bilateral, no image guidance
• W9035Steroid injection – two or more joints / bilateral, image guided
• W9042Hyaluronic acid – unilateral, no image guidance
• W9032Hyaluronic acid – unilateral, image guided
• W9043Hyaluronic acid – bilateral, no image guidance
• W9033Hyaluronic acid – bilateral, image guided
• W9052Arthrosamid (polyacrylamide hydrogel) – unilateral
• W9053Arthrosamid – bilateral

The procedure codes don't distinguish hip from knee: the same code covers either joint. Steroid goes under the W9040 group, hyaluronic acid under W9042/W9032, and Arthrosamid under W9052. AXA only accepts W9030/W9035/W9045 for steroid injections. Since 1 Dec 2023 it pays image-guided knee and hip bursa injections at the non-guided rate. Bupa, WPA and Vitality don't routinely cover hyaluronic acid or Arthrosamid.

Aspiration (hip / knee) and arthrogram

• W9040Aspiration in clinic – no image guidance
• W9030Aspiration – image guided (knee or hip)
• W9018Hip aspiration / biopsy / arthrogram in assessment of THR
• W9240EUA / manipulation +/- injection +/- arthrogram in theatre
• W9020Dynamic arthrogram of joint
• W9282Joint fluid examination by consultant (incl. aspiration)

For hip aspiration with arthrogram in theatre, the usual code is W9018 (assessment of a THR). For a native joint or the knee, use W9030 (image-guided) or W9240 (under GA). Most insurers treat W9020 as bundled with these codes.