Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
Fracture Fixation Surgery in Nigeria
A broken bone is put back into position and held with plates, screws or a nail so it heals in the right place. It is the standard treatment for displaced fractures that will not heal well in a cast.
Also called: ORIF, Open reduction and internal fixation, Plating a broken bone
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed 17 September 2026. This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Published price
₦2,200,000
Standard limb fracture, all-in
A single limb fracture with standard implants. Complex and multiple injuries are quoted case by case.
What the price covers
- Surgeon and anaesthetist fees
- Theatre time
- Standard implants for the fracture pattern
- Post-operative X-ray
- First review
What it does not cover
- Emergency assessment and initial imaging
- Ward stay beyond the expected admission
- Physiotherapy after the cast or sling comes off
- Removing the metalwork later, if that is ever needed
What would change this price
- Multiple fractures or injuries in more than one limb
- An open fracture where the skin was broken, which needs washout and sometimes staged surgery
- Specialist implants, external fixators or bone graft
- Delay in presentation, which makes the surgery harder
Emergency trauma is authorised differently from planned surgery. The desk starts the HMO process while you are being assessed rather than after.
Who this is for
- A displaced fracture that will not hold position in a cast
- A fracture involving a joint surface, which needs to be rebuilt accurately
- Both bones of the forearm or leg broken
- A fracture that has already failed non-operative treatment
When it is not the right answer
- Stable fractures in good position, which heal well in a cast or brace
- Patients who are not medically fit for anaesthesia until they are stabilised
The pathway, step by step
- 1
Assessment and X-ray
Examination, imaging and pain control. Time matters in trauma.
- 2
Stabilisation
A temporary splint or backslab, and treatment of any other injuries first.
- 3
Surgery
Timing depends on the fracture and on swelling. Some are fixed the same day, others after a few days.
- 4
Ward stay
From a day case for a small bone to several nights for a major limb fracture.
- 5
Rehabilitation₦15,000
Movement is started early where the fixation is stable. Full bone healing takes six to twelve weeks or longer.
Recovery, realistically
Weeks 1 to 2
Wound check, swelling control, movement of nearby joints as allowed.
Weeks 6 to 12
X-rays confirm healing. Weight bearing is increased on instruction.
Months 3 to 6
Strength and function return with physiotherapy.
Risks you should be told about
- Infection, higher when the skin was broken at the time of injury
- The bone failing to heal or healing in a poor position
- Irritation from the metalwork, which is sometimes removed later
- Stiffness in the nearby joints
- Blood clots
Every operation carries risk. A surgeon who lists none is not being straight with you. Yours will go through these with you before you consent.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to plate a broken bone in Nigeria?
N2,200,000 at Mezo for a single limb fracture with standard implants, covering surgeon, anaesthetist, theatre and the implants themselves. Complex or multiple injuries are quoted case by case. Emergency assessment, imaging and physiotherapy are billed separately.
Do I have to remove the plate afterwards?
Usually not. Metalwork is left in place unless it causes pain or irritation, or in specific situations in children.
How long before the bone heals?
Six to twelve weeks for most, longer for the thigh bone and for smokers or people with diabetes. X-rays guide when you can put full weight through it.
Prices shown are Mezo cash prices in naira and were last checked on 17 September 2026. They are what you would be quoted for the standard case described here. Your final quote follows an examination, because the right operation for you may not be this one.