Spine surgery in Nigeria

Spine surgery is often performed to cure spinal issues like instability in spine, bone spurs, herniated discs, scoliosis and spine tumour. During the procedure an orthopedic surgeon makes an incision on the back of the patient’s spine through which the surgeon removes bone spurs or thickened ligaments pressing on the lower back.

Nigeria is witnessing growth in the medical field, recently it has emerged as a country that provides not only advanced medical facilities but all that at an affordable price too. 

If you are thinking of getting your spine surgery done in Nigeria, here is a list of  information that you might need ranging from various costs of spine surgery in Nigeria to the top orthopedic surgeons in Nigeria to help you along the way.

Cost of spine surgery in Nigeria

Spinal surgery is considered to be an expensive surgery, due to growing age one in fifteen people suffer from back pain and spinal problems , the decision of getting a surgery can be a tough one.

The price for a spinal surgery can vary a lot depending upon various factors. The price of spinal surgery has an average cost of 4,000,000 NGN in Nigeria while the same surgery can range as high as 19,000 USD in countries like the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

Cost of spine surgery in Nigeria compared to different countries

Cost of spine surgery in Nigeria compared to other countries in the African continent .

Cost of spine surgery in different states of Nigeria

A thorough knowledge about h the surgery you’re going to be having is necessary, the price of the surgery can vary at any small change, if you are thinking of getting the surgery done under a certain budget, cost comparison can be very helpful

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Factors affecting the cost of spine surgery in Nigeria

Since spine surgery is an expensive surgery it is necessary to understand what brings such a a huge variation in the cost. The variation could be due to various reasons like the experience of the surgeon to medications required for the surgery.

Given below is a list of factors that might affect the cost of spine surgery in Nigeria.

1. Consultation fees
2. Diagnostic tests
3. Surgeon fees
4. Anesthesia charges (Local or general)
5. Implants
6. Hospitalization charges
7. Preoperative and postoperative medications
8. Physical therapy
9. Follow up visits
10. Other expenses

Given below is a table that shows the variation that might be caused due to these factors.

Cost of spine surgery in top hospitals of Nigeria

Cost of spine surgery in top hospitals of Lagos

Cost of spine surgery in top hospitals of Abuja

Cost of spine surgery in government hospitals of Nigeria

Cost of spine surgery in private hospitals of Nigeria

Success rate of spine surgery in Nigeria

Due to good medical facilities and certified surgeons the success rate of spine surgery in Nigeria is quite high compared to other countries.

The success rate of spine surgery in Nigeria is as high as 96% with very rare instances of complications.

Success rate of spine surgery in Nigeria compared to other countries

Types of Spine surgery

There can be various types of spine surgery depending upon what area needs to be treated, given below are a few different types of spine surgeries.

• Spinal Fusion (Average price : 6,145 USD)

Spinal fusion is a procedure performed to correct the crooked alignment of spine caused due to a result of disease, accident or congenital (present since birth)The surgery corrects the posture of the patient and hence providing relief from the pain as well.

• Laminectomy (Average price : 6,212 USD)

Laminectomy can be considered the most commonly performed spinal surgery. The surgery is performed to cure spinal stenosis.In this type of spinal surgery bone spurs and ligaments are removed hence lessening the pressure.

The procedure is effective in reducing pain in the affected regions of the spine.

• Discectomy (Average price : 6,539 USD)

Discectomy is the procedure where the bulging disc is removed to relieve pressure on the nerves. The procedure is mainly performed to cure herniated disc disease. It is performed in the lumbar region of the spine.

• Intervertebral disc arthroscopy (Average price : 6,695 USD)

Intervertebral disc arthroscopy or disc replacement surgery is a procedure where the surgeon removes a disc from your spine and an artificial disc is placed in place of it. It is performed in the cervical or lumbar region.

•  Foraminotomy (Average price : 6,404 USD)

Foraminotomy is a procedure where the bone around.canal (neural foramen) is removed, it is a decompression procedure and it relieves the pain because the pressure is relieved from where the nerve was compressed.

•  Vertebrectomy (Average price : 6,694 USD)

Vertebrectomy or corpectomy is a procedure where a part of the vertebra is removed to relieve pressure and hence decompress nerves as well as spinal cords.

Cost of different spine surgeries in Nigeria compared to different countries

Cost of different spine surgeries in Nigeria

Minimally invasive alternatives for spine surgery

• Endoscopic Lumbar discectomy  (Average price : 6,212 USD)

In this procedure the surgeon makes a small incision for a tube-like endoscope to enter your body through which they will remove the disc .The procedure is minimally invasive compared to other spine surgery procedures.

• Coflex Lumbar interlaminar device (Average price : 6,917 USD)

The procedure is performed with the help of a u shaped device which is called the coflex lumbar interlaminar device, this device is implanted into the affected area. It is minimally invasive surgery but it requires the patient to have a strong skeletal structure.

• Endoscopic Rhizotomy (Average price : 6,539 USD)

In this procedure the surgeon will make a small incision on your back and insert an endoscope, with its help they will serve your medical branch nerve.

Cost of different types of minimally invasive spine surgeries in Nigeria

Cost of different minimally invasive spine surgeries in Nigeria

Newest spine surgery technique in Nigeria

TLIF or Transforaminal lumbar inter body fusion. The procedure aims to fuse the bones of the spine permanently. The surgery also provides lesser operating time as well as recovery time.

The average price of TLIF in Nigeria is around 7,900,000 NGN ( 10,331 USD)

Risks of Spine surgery.

Just like any other surgery, spine surgery also comes with its own risks and concerns involved.

Though very rare, some of the risks associated to Spine surgery are

1. Blood clots
2. Infection
3. Sores
4. Nerve injury

What to do for a speedy recovery?

1. Wear braces
2. Take medications
3. Avoid lifting something heavy
4. Avoid sudden impact
5. Clean the incision regularly 

Which type of back surgery is suitable for you?

Since there are several types of spine surgery iit could be very hard to know which type is the best for you, our advice would be to have a thorough consultation with your surgeon so they understand which procedure will end your discomfort.

Procedure 

The main thing to keep in mind before the surgery is to consult thoroughly with your physician, share the difficulties and symptoms you have been facing, and tell them about your medical history. Every little detail is necessary as it might bring a great change. Before the surgery try your best to remain fit physically. Ask your surgeon which exercises will be good to strengthen your core and lose your weight as too much weight might cause some complications after the surgery.

Before the Surgery:

Before going for the surgery make sure you follow the surgeon’s instruction, he might have advised you upon not taking a few kinds of medicines and what meal to have before the surgery, how to take your preoperative medications etc. The surgeon will administer you to anesthesia (local or general) .

During the procedure :

Depending upon the procedure you are having the surgeon will make an incision on your back around the area that is causing trouble, he will then remove the disc with precision, decompressing your spinal nerves and hence providing relief. The incision will then be stitched up.

After the procedure :

The procedure lasts for about two or three hours, your surgeon might ask you to stay in the hospital for a day or maybe discharge you the same day depending upon the type of procedure you had.

The surgery has a full recovery period of about a year but you will start noticing changes from about two weeks after the surgery.

Will your insurance policy cover your spine surgery? 

Yes, the spine surgery is covered by healthcare insurance providers but it varies depending upon the hospital and your insurance policy.

It would be better to discuss beforehand with the insurance providers as well as the hospital you chose for your surgery.The surgery should be considered medically necessary by the surgeon.

Given below are a few top Health insurance policy providers in Nigeria

1. AXA Mansard Health insurance
2. Clearline health insurance
3. Hygeia health insurance
4. Leadway health insurance
5. HCI health insurance 

Why should you choose Nigeria for your spine surgery?

• Best Hospitals    

Nigeria has a range of certified Multi speciality hospitals, making your treatment an easy and safe ride.

Good Hospitals are a must for a treatment because they will ultimately ease your treatment process with the facilities available.  

• Best Doctors

A place with good hospitals will eventually lead you to the best doctors which is always a must for a treatment, a good combination of these two will definitely mean a smooth experience for your treatment.

• Affordability

   Nigeria is a place that offers you not just best doctors and hospitals but all this at an affordable price when compared to other developed countries.

These reasons are why you should get your spine surgery in Nigeria, with a success rate of almost 96 % and very rare instances of complications Nigeria should be on your list of top countries to get your surgery done.

FAQ’s

1.Is spine surgery a serious surgery?

Yes, spine surgery can be considered a serious surgery as just like any other surgery this one also involves some risks and concerns of its own.

2. Is spine surgery painful?

The answer to this varies from person to person, if you are a person who can handle normal levels of pain then this surgery can be considered mildly painful but the pain medications provided help with the pain.

3. What is the age limit for spinal surgery?

There is no specific age limit for a spine surgery, however younger patients require less recovery time.