Arthritis, lupus and joint pain
Rheumatologist in Nigeria: when the joint pain will not go away
Published prices from ₦66,000, with the full price shown before you book or pay.
Published prices
Rheumatology in Lagos
Each price links to what it covers.
"It is rheumatism, it comes with age." Many people in Nigeria hear that for years, and live on ointment, hot water and painkillers from the chemist while their fingers stiffen and their knees swell. Some of that is wear-and-tear arthritis. Some of it is rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout or ankylosing spondylitis, conditions that quietly damage joints, kidneys and the heart unless they are found and treated early. A rheumatologist is the specialist who tells them apart, and starts the treatment that protects you.
See a rheumatologist online. A private video call from anywhere in Nigeria, with the fee shown before you pay.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.
What we treat
- Rheumatoid arthritis: swollen, stiff finger, wrist and foot joints
- Lupus (SLE) and other autoimmune conditions
- Gout that keeps coming back
- Ankylosing spondylitis: back pain and stiffness in young adults
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Osteoarthritis: medical treatment before any talk of surgery
- Osteoporosis and fragile bones
- Fibromyalgia and widespread pain
How care works here
- 1
Ask for a rheumatologist
Tell us which joints swell or hurt and for how long. A coordinator books the earliest suitable time, in Lagos or by video where a rheumatologist offers it, and the fee is shown before you pay.
- 2
A proper first consultation
Your history, every joint examined, and your old results and X-rays read rather than repeated.
- 3
The tests that settle it
Blood tests at a partner laboratory, or collected at home in Lagos, and X-rays where needed. Each test is priced before you pay.
- 4
Treatment early, then regular reviews
Inflammatory arthritis does its damage in the first months, so treatment starts as soon as the diagnosis is clear. Long-term conditions are reviewed on a schedule, with your own GP sharing the routine care if you want one.
Treatments and published prices
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to see a rheumatologist?
On Mezo, a first consultation is from ₦66,000. Each rheumatologist sets their own fee, shown before you pay. Blood tests and X-rays are priced separately before they are done.
Rheumatologist or orthopaedic surgeon: which do I need?
A rheumatologist treats arthritis and autoimmune conditions with medicines and monitoring. An orthopaedic surgeon treats injuries and joints damaged enough to need an operation. Several swollen joints, stiff mornings, or joint pain with a rash or fevers starts here; an injured joint, or one being considered for replacement, starts with orthopaedics.
Is rheumatism the same as arthritis?
"Rheumatism" is an old word for any joint or muscle pain. It hides the difference that matters: wear-and-tear arthritis is treated with exercise, weight loss and pain relief, while rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and gout need specific medicines started early.
Can I see a rheumatologist by video?
For a review, going through results, or adjusting treatment, often yes. A first visit for swollen joints is better in person, because the rheumatologist needs to examine them.
Can I use my HMO?
Many HMO plans cover a specialist visit with a referral and prior authorisation. Tell the coordinator your HMO when you book. If you pay yourself, the fee is shown before you pay.
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.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. NHS. Patient information.
- Rheumatoid arthritis in adults: management (NG100). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
- Spondyloarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG65). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
Links last checked 30 October 2026.