Orthopaedics in Lagos
Fractures (Broken Bones)
The signs, what causes it, and treatment in Lagos from ₦240,000, with the full price shown before you book or pay.
Signs to look for
Fractures (Broken Bones)
- Pain, swelling and bruising after a fall, blow or accident
- Being unable to use the limb or put weight on it
- A limb that looks bent, twisted or shorter than the other
- A grating feeling or sound when the limb moves
- Bone visible through a wound
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A fracture is a broken bone. It can be a crack, a clean break, or a bone broken into several pieces. In a closed fracture the skin is intact; in an open fracture the bone has broken through the skin, which carries a high risk of infection and is an emergency. A displaced fracture means the ends have moved out of line. Some fractures run into a joint, and a stress fracture builds up slowly from repeated strain. An X-ray is the only way to know which type you have. Many fractures heal in a cast or splint. Others need an operation to fix the bone with plates, screws, a rod or wires, so it heals straight and you can move sooner. In Nigeria many people go first to a traditional bone setter. Splints tied too tightly over a swelling limb can cut off the blood supply, and in a series of major amputations at a Nigerian orthopaedic hospital, gangrene after bone-setter treatment was the second commonest reason, behind severe injury itself. Most broken arms and legs take about six to twelve weeks to heal, and longer after a severe injury.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Pain, swelling and bruising after a fall, blow or accident
- Being unable to use the limb or put weight on it
- A limb that looks bent, twisted or shorter than the other
- A grating feeling or sound when the limb moves
- Bone visible through a wound
- Numbness, tingling or a cold, pale hand or foot below the injury
When to See a Doctor
Go to a hospital emergency department now if a bone is sticking out, the limb is bent or twisted, there is a deep or bleeding wound, the hand or foot is cold, pale, numb or tingling, or the person is pale, sweaty or breathing fast. Do not drive yourself. If a splint or bandage has already been applied, by a bone setter or anyone else, loosen it and go to a hospital at once if the pain keeps getting worse, the fingers or toes turn dark, cold or numb, or the swelling bulges out. For a suspected break without these signs, get an X-ray the same day. See an orthopaedic surgeon for a bone that has healed crooked, a fracture that still moves or hurts months later, or a wound over a fracture or plate that keeps discharging.
Treatment options
- First aid: keep the limb still and padded, cover any wound, remove rings and bangles, and give nothing to eat or drink in case surgery is needed
- An X-ray to show the type of fracture, and sometimes a CT scan
- Putting the bone back in line under pain relief or anaesthetic, then a cast, splint or sling
- Fracture fixation with plates, screws, a rod or wires for displaced, unstable, open or joint fractures
- Antibiotics, a tetanus injection and a wound wash-out in theatre for open fractures
- Physiotherapy after the cast or operation to restore movement and strength
- Removal of a plate or screws later, only if they cause problems
- Correction of a fracture that healed crooked (malunion) or never joined (non-union)
What it costs on Mezo
Starting cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
What are the types of fracture?
The main types are closed (skin intact) or open (bone through the skin), displaced or not displaced, simple (one break) or comminuted (several pieces), and fractures that run into a joint. Children often have greenstick fractures, where the bone bends and cracks on one side. The type decides whether a cast is enough or surgery is needed.
How long does a fractured leg take to heal?
Most broken legs take about six to twelve weeks to heal, sometimes longer. Strength and movement can take several months more to return, with physiotherapy.
Should I go to a bone setter or a hospital?
A hospital first. An X-ray shows whether the bone can heal in a cast or needs fixing, and the dangerous complications, such as a splint that cuts off the blood supply, need a hospital quickly.
Will the plates and screws have to come out?
Usually not. Most plates and screws can stay in for life. They are removed when they cause pain, rub under the skin, become infected, or in some children and some joints.
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Orthopaedics in Lagos →Orthopaedics in Abuja →Orthopaedics in Port Harcourt →Orthopaedics in Jos →Orthopaedics in Ibadan →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Broken leg. NHS. Patient information.
- Broken arm or wrist. NHS. Patient information.
- Fractures (non-complex): assessment and management (NG38). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
- Indications and Complications of Major Limb Amputations in Kano, Nigeria. Ghana Medical Journal 47(4), 2013. Peer-reviewed.
- Review of the practice of traditional bone setting in Nigeria. African Health Sciences 11(2), 2011. Peer-reviewed.
Links last checked 3 November 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.