The short answer
You usually cannot look up an orthopaedic hospital's or surgeon's results in Nigeria, so online lists of the 'best orthopaedic hospital' tell you about marketing, not safety. Choose the surgeon and team for your operation instead: MDCN registered with a current licence, a specialist fellowship in orthopaedics, does your operation regularly, operates in a proper theatre with an anaesthetist and good infection control, gives a written all-in quote, arranges physiotherapy afterwards, and names who looks after you if something goes wrong.
Book an orthopaedic surgeonMedically 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.
Why a ranking will not answer the question
A big name, a modern building or many social media followers do not tell you how often a hospital's knee replacements get infected or how many fractures heal straight. The person operating, the team in the theatre and the care after the operation matter most. The checks below are what an orthopaedic surgeon would ask about if a family member needed an operation.
Seven things to check
- MDCN registration and a current practising licence, checked against the surgeon's registered name
- A specialist fellowship in orthopaedics, from the West African College of Surgeons or the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, or an equivalent
- Experience with your exact operation: ask how many they did in the past year
- A proper theatre, a doctor anaesthetist, a ward and blood available if your operation can need it
- Infection control: antibiotics before surgery where advised, sterile instruments, and a safety checklist in theatre
- A written all-in quote that names the implant, the nights in hospital and what is not included
- Physiotherapy after the operation, and a named person to call at night if a problem starts
Extra questions for a joint replacement or a fracture operation
For a knee or hip replacement, ask which implant will be used and whether it is named in the quote, how long you are expected to stay, and who supervises your exercises once you are home. For a fracture, ask whether the plan is a cast or fixation and why, and when the X-ray checks will be.
Infection after joint replacement or fracture surgery is uncommon but serious, and can mean more operations. Ask how the team prevents it and what happens, and who pays, if it occurs.
Who handles complications
Ask who sees you if the wound becomes red or discharges, who you call at night after you go home, and what happens if you need to return to theatre. A surgeon who operates and leaves no one for you to call is a risk, however skilled.
Warning signs
- A deposit is demanded before a doctor has examined you
- No X-ray or scan before surgery is recommended
- No talk of risks or of options other than surgery
- A price that is only for the surgeon, with the implant, theatre and nights left vague
- Pressure to decide today
How Mezo handles this
Every doctor on Mezo is checked on the MDCN register before they can take a booking. Operations are quoted in writing after the surgeon has examined you, with what is included set out, and physiotherapy after surgery can be booked at home in Lagos. You pay online, never at the counter.
What it costs on Mezo
Billed as one line, not a stack of surprise charges.
Common questions
Which is the best orthopaedic hospital in Lagos?
There is no reliable public ranking. Judge the surgeon and team for your operation on registration, specialist training, experience, theatre safety, a written quote and aftercare.
Is a government teaching hospital better than a private hospital?
Either can be good. Teaching hospitals have many specialists and trainees; private hospitals vary widely. Ask the same questions in both, and ask who will actually operate.
Should I travel abroad for orthopaedic surgery?
Some people do. Weigh the travel, the time away and who looks after you once you are back home in Nigeria. Many common orthopaedic operations are done in Nigeria by fully trained surgeons.
Can I get a second opinion?
Yes. A good surgeon will not be offended. It is most useful before a joint replacement, spinal surgery or any operation that cannot be undone.
The procedures
Related health guides
Read next
How to choose a surgeon in Nigeria: registration, experience, a written quote and who handles complicationsBone doctor in Nigeria: what an orthopaedic (orthopedic) surgeon treatsKnee surgery cost in Nigeria: knee replacement, arthroscopy and ACL pricesKnee replacement in Nigeria or abroad in India: how to decide
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Ask for a written orthopaedic quote
Tell us the operation and whether you will pay cash or through your HMO. Asking is free. A coordinator calls within one business day, and the written all-in quote follows the surgeon's assessment, so you know the full price before you commit.
Get a fixed surgery quoteSources 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.
- Safe surgery. World Health Organization. Clinical guideline.
- West African College of Surgeons. West African College of Surgeons. Official publication.
- Recovering from a knee replacement. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 3 November 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.