Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
Knee Arthroscopy and Meniscus Surgery
Keyhole surgery through two small cuts, using a camera to trim or repair a torn meniscus and to treat loose or damaged cartilage. It is a day case for most people.
Also called: Keyhole knee surgery, Meniscectomy, Meniscal repair
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
₦1,400,000
One knee, day case, all-in
Arthroscopy and meniscectomy, with or without chondroplasty, one side.
What the price covers
- Surgeon and anaesthetist fees
- Theatre time and day-case recovery
- Routine post-operative medication to take home
- First post-operative review
What it does not cover
- Consultation and MRI before surgery
- Outpatient physiotherapy
- An overnight stay if one is needed
What would change this price
- A meniscal repair with implants rather than a simple trim
- Ligament reconstruction done at the same time
- Conversion to open surgery
Prior authorisation is required on HMO plans before the procedure is booked.
Who this is for
- A knee that locks, catches or gives way after a twisting injury
- A meniscal tear confirmed on MRI in a knee that is otherwise not badly arthritic
- A loose fragment of cartilage or bone inside the joint
- Persistent swelling and mechanical symptoms that have not settled with physiotherapy
When it is not the right answer
- Knee pain from established arthritis without mechanical symptoms, where the evidence shows arthroscopy does not help and physiotherapy or joint replacement are the honest options
- Degenerative tears in older knees that usually settle with a structured exercise programme
The pathway, step by step
- 1
Consultation₦35,000
Examination of the knee and review of your injury.
- 2
MRI₦95,000
Confirms the tear and shows how much arthritis is present, which changes the advice.
- 3
Day-case surgery
Thirty to sixty minutes, usually home the same day.
- 4
Physiotherapy₦15,000
Starts within the first week and runs for four to six weeks.
Recovery, realistically
Days 1 to 3
Walking with crutches, elevating the leg, ice for swelling.
Week 1
Most people are off crutches after a simple trim.
Weeks 2 to 4
Back to desk work, driving once you can brake safely.
Weeks 6 to 12
Return to sport, later if the meniscus was repaired rather than trimmed.
Risks you should be told about
- Infection, which is uncommon in keyhole surgery
- Blood clots
- Persistent swelling or stiffness
- Ongoing pain if arthritis, rather than the tear, was the real source
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 knee arthroscopy cost in Nigeria?
N1,400,000 for one knee as a day case at Mezo, all-in: surgeon, anaesthetist, theatre and day-case recovery. The consultation and MRI beforehand and physiotherapy afterwards are billed separately and are listed on this page.
Do I need an MRI first?
Usually yes. The MRI confirms the tear and shows how much arthritis there is, which is what decides whether keyhole surgery will actually help you.
Will this fix my arthritis?
No. If the main problem is arthritis rather than a mechanical tear, arthroscopy has been shown not to help, and a good surgeon will tell you that rather than take you to theatre.
How soon can I go back to work?
Desk work in one to two weeks. Work that involves standing, lifting or climbing usually takes four to six weeks.
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.