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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Get Hip to Specific Anatomy, Terminology,and Coding

Published on Sat Jun 06, 2009

These key terms make coding for hip procedures easier and more accurate. Guest Columnist: Susan Vogelberger, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-I, CMBS, CCP-P If you think your hip is that thing jutting out at you in the mirror, your nomenclature needs a rehaul to ensure youre nailing the correct codes. Coding for hip fractures and other procedures is easier when the coder is hip to the anatomy and terminology. Common mistake: The average person refers to the prominent part of the pelvis that juts out just below the waistline (the iliac crest) as the hip. However, the hip portion of the pelvis is really about five inches below and is called the acetabulum, or true hip. The ABCs of Hip Anatomy Hip joint: Three areas of the pelvic structure form the acetabulum or the socket: the ilium, the ischium, and the pubis. Femoral head: This is the ball, which is located in [...]
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