Over one million ACL surgeries are performed annually across the globe. A major portion of the surgery is on sports athletes in their teenage years and early 20s. ACL surgery treat torn ligament, which causes knee pain, instability and other complications. Orthopedic surgeons perform surgery to help patients to get back to their normal life with less or no knee pain, better range of motion, and stability in the knee movements. In this blog, we are going to explore the ACL surgery cost in Nigeria, the breakdown of the cost, comparison in different countries, insurance options, and much more.
What is ACL Surgery?
ACL surgery is an invasive procedure to cure a torn ACL and other conditions. Surgeons create a graft from muscle obtained from quadricep, patellar tendon or hamstrings. Graft could be the patient’s own (autograft), or it could be obtained from a deceased donor and living donor. ACL surgery procedure could be open surgery, or it could be robotic surgery (arthroscopy).
Causes of ACL Surgery?
The main cause of ACL surgery is overextension, uneven tension, and heavy stretching of the ligament. Sometimes, healthcare providers advise patients who have been facing knee instability for a very long time. ACL could happen due to improper landing after a jump and sudden direction change.
Cost of ACL Surgery in Nigeria
The average cost of ACL surgery in Nigeria is around 700,000 NGN to 3,400,000 NGN. Cost in Nigeria depends on some crucial factors such as type of hospital, type of surgery, medication, and recovery period. The cost could be different for every patient as per their needs and medical requirements.
Cost of Different Types of ACL Surgery in Nigeria
The average cost for different types of ACL surgery in Nigeria is mentioned below in the table:
| Type of Surgery | Cost (NGN) | Cost (USD) |
| Normal Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction | 1,300,000 – 2,250,000 | 900 – 1,600 |
| Complex Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction | 1,500,000 – 3,400,000 | 1,000 – 2,400 |
| Open Surgery | 700,000 – 1,100,000 | 500 – 800 |
Cost Breakdown of ACL Surgery in Nigeria
The cost breakdown of ACL surgery in Nigeria, according to the procedure, is mentioned in the following table:
| Procedure | Cost (NGN) | Cost (USD) |
| Diagnostics | 100,000 – 200,000 | 70 – 140 |
| Surgical Fee | 800,000 – 1,500,000 | 560 – 1,000 |
| Implants & Consumables | 300,000 – 600,000 | 210 – 420 |
| Hospital | 100,000 – 250,000 | 70 – 180 |
| Rehabilitation | 200,000 – 500,000 | 140 – 360 |
Cost Comparison of ACL Surgery in Nigeria Among Other Countries
The cost comparison of ACL surgery among the different countries is as follows:
| Country | Cost in their Currency | Cost in USD |
| India | 3,00,000 – 4,00,000 INR | 3,500 – 4,000 |
| Nigeria | 700,000 – 3,400,000 NGN | 500 – 2,400 |
| Malaysia | 15,000 – 35,000 RM | 300 – 8,000 |
| Iran | 33,700,000 – 168,500,000 IRR | 800 – 4,000 |
| Bangladesh | 1,00,000 – 2,00,000 BDT | 800 – 1,600 |
| Turkey | 1,20,000 – 3,00,000 TRY | 3,000 – 7,000 |
| Oman | 750 – 2,000 OMR | 2,000 – 5,000 |
| Bahrain | 750 – 2,000 BHD | 2,000 – 5,000 |
| Thailand | 1,90,000-3,50,000 THB | 5,500-10,000 |
| Ethiopia | 7,00,000-11,00,000 ETB | 5,000-7,000 |
| Pakistan | 3,00,000-7,00,000 PKR | 1,100-2,500 |
Factors Depend on the Cost of ACL Surgery in Nigeria
Various factors that can create a difference in the cost of ACL surgery in Nigeria are as follows:
- Hospital: Government and private facilities have a major difference in the services and the cost. Private hospitals charge approx 40% more than a government hospital.
- Surgeon: Surgeons with better and more expertise in orthopedic surgery charge more for their surgery results.
- Graft: The graft technique used in the surgery can create a difference in total cost. Autograft is a more affordable option due to longer incision healing time.
- Medications: Medicines in the whole procedure account for a big portion in cost of ACL surgery.
- Rehabilitation: Various rehabilitation programs cost differently for every individual due to personalized care.
- Recovery: Time duration of recovery and follow-up checkups can vary, it could be different for every individual and can create a difference in the overall cost of the surgery.
Top Insurance Companies for ACL Surgery in Nigeria
Majorly, insurance companies in Nigeria covers 60% to 80% of the total amount of ACL surgery. A list of the top insurance companies for ACL surgery in Nigeria is mentioned:
- AIICO Insurance.
- Lead Way Assurance Company.
- Custodian and Allied Insurance.
- Cornerstone Insurance.
- AXA Mansard Insurance.
- African Alliance Insurance.
- Goldlink Insurance.
- Continental Insurance.
- Industrial and General Insurance.
- ACL reconstruction surgery coverage.
Common Risks Factors after ACL Surgery
Common risk factors of ACL surgery are as follows:
- Osteoarthritis: It is very common to develop osteoarthritis over a long period of time after ACL surgery.
- Blood Clotting: Blood clotting around the wound of the incision is common due to low blood pressure.
- Arthrofibrosis: Stiffness in the knee after surgery is very common, and it can be treated with physiotherapy.
- Infection: Infection around the incision wound caused by bacteria, which can be cured with antibiotics.
- Graft Tearing: The chances of re-tearing the graft and ACL are still high after the surgery.
Best Hospitals in Nigeria for ACL surgery
The best hospitals in Nigeria providing ACL surgery are as follows:
- Lagoon Hospital: They offers advance and complex ACL surgeries. They also provide minimal invasive arthroscopy surgery options.
- Duchess International Hospital: They match the international level and top-notch medical treatments. They also focus on personalized care and advanced facilities.
- Cedarcrest Hospital: They are recognized as an orthopedic facility providing ACL treatments and surgeries. They also have dedicated trauma and orthopedic departments.
- Alliance Hospital: They offer advanced orthopedic surgeons to give personalized care to every individual patient.
- EKO Hospital: Multispeciality hospital providing the best treatments for various types of diseases. They also treat international patients and take feedback for any corrections in the services.
Comparison of Government and Private Hospitals in Nigeria
The basic comparison of government and private hospitals in Nigeria are as follows:
| Facility | Government Hospitals | Private Hospitals |
| Cost | Very Low And Affordable | Higher Due To Numerous Facilities |
| Waiting Times | Longer Waiting Period | Shorter Waiting Period and Advanced Appointments Options |
| Infrastructure | Basic Structure And Facilities | Modern Facilities And Better Infrastructure |
| Personalized Care | Very Limited Due to Rush | Dedicated Attention To All Patients |
| Physiotherapy | Limited Availability | In-House Rehabilitations And Therapies |
Success Rate of ACL Surgery in Nigeria
Medical camps is an affordable option for healthcare, and they are being developed in the medical departments. The success rate of ACL surgery in Nigeria is above 90% and still rising. They have a higher success rate in ACL surgery, which matches the facts and standards at a worldwide level. They have also started a government scheme in 2022 to achieve insurance for every individual in Nigeria by the year of 2030.
Conclusion
Nigeria is developing in the field of medical healthcare with the help of the government. ACL surgery cost in Nigeria is very cheap compared to any other Western countries. They offer various facilities at a very low cost with the government schemes, including medical camps, e-health policies, and online consultation platforms. All these things add up and make Nigeria one of the best places to have an ACL surgery.