Arthroplasty Society pushes Nigeria’s joint replacement revolution

The Arthroplasty Society of Nigeria (ASN) has once again placed the spotlight on the future of joint replacement surgeries in the country, as experts, surgeons, patients, and policymakers gathered for its 6th Annual Scientific Conference held in Lagos.

With the theme “Optimising Arthroplasty Outcomes in Nigeria”, the two-day meeting convened leading orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, anaesthetists, hospital administrators, and patients to examine how Nigeria can bridge the gap between global standards of joint replacement and the realities of its healthcare system.

From in-depth sessions on the latest surgical techniques to forward-looking debates about implant accessibility and local manufacturing, the conference underscored an urgent message: arthritis, hip dysplasia, and other degenerative joint diseases are no longer niche issues; they are public health concerns that demand systemic solutions.

The rising burden of arthritis
Delivering the opening session, ASN President, Aniekan Ekere, MD, FMCS, FMCOrtho, FWACS, FICS, MBA( exec.), DMP, emphasised that hip and knee arthritis is not just a problem of ageing, but one exacerbated by lifestyle, inadequate early diagnosis, and limited treatment options.

According to him, the society’s mission is to improve access to life-changing procedures and ensure that Nigerian patients can receive world-class outcomes without leaving the country.

“This conference reflects how far we have come as a society, expanding our expertise beyond hips and knees to embrace every major joint that affects quality of life. It is a vital platform to strengthen our profession, improve patient outcomes, and position Nigeria at the forefront of arthroplasty innovation,” Ekere said.

Sessions throughout the conference tackled the full surgical pathway, patient selection, anaesthesia in resource-limited settings, sterilization protocols, advances in prosthesis design, post-operative physiotherapy, and financing models for affordability.

Notably, discussions on registries and fellowships highlighted the need to build a sustainable ecosystem of research, training, and data-driven practice.

Read also: Every Nigerian is one sickness away from poverty, debt or death.

A patient’s testimony: From phobia to advocacy

Perhaps the most moving session came during the patient engagement panel, where stories of resilience and recovery illustrated the real-world impact of arthroplasty. Among the voices was Daniel Oyebanji, father of Nigerian music icon D’banj, who shared his long and harrowing journey to successful knee replacement.

Oyebanji, a retired military officer, had battled severe arthritis after decades of active service in the army. His first two attempts at knee replacement, one in China (2021) and another in the United States (2023) were aborted due to complications with pre-anaesthesia. The repeated failures left him with a deep phobia of surgery.

That changed in September 2023 when he met a doctor in the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos. With careful reassurance, this doctor encouraged him to undergo the procedure in Nigeria.

On September 25, 2023, Oyebanji successfully received his knee replacement at NOHIL. Remarkably, he began physiotherapy the very next day.

Two years on, he now moves with ease and has become a passionate advocate for arthroplasty awareness in Nigeria.
“After failed attempts abroad, I found my breakthrough here in Nigeria. My successful knee replacement at NOHIL has given me back my mobility and confidence. I want every Nigerian to know that we can trust our own doctors and hospitals, the expertise is here at home. I am grateful beyond words, and I will continue to advocate so that more people can overcome their fears and embrace the care available in our country,” he said to resounding applause.

His testimony drew admiration from participants, serving as a reminder that behind every technical discussion, the true measure of success lies in patients reclaiming their mobility and dignity.

Building a sustainable future for arthroplasty in Nigeria

Beyond clinical breakthroughs, the conference pressed on critical policy questions. How can Nigeria develop financing models that make joint replacement accessible to middle- and low-income patients? How might local manufacturing reduce dependence on expensive imported implants? What frameworks are needed to train the next generation of arthroplasty surgeons?
Debates were robust.

Some argued for cementless hip arthroplasty as the national standard, while others cautioned that outcomes should be matched against patient profiles and cost realities. Panelists also weighed in on the importance of multidisciplinary teams, noting that successful outcomes depend not only on surgeons but also on anaesthetists, physiotherapists, and post-operative caregivers.

A call for collaboration

In his closing remarks, Ekere reiterated that progress will only come through collaboration across the healthcare value chain—surgeons, researchers, government, and industry.

He emphasised that the society is committed to ensuring Nigeria not only keeps pace with global advancements but also develops context-specific solutions for its unique challenges.

The conference concluded with a dinner and networking session, leaving participants energised for the road ahead. For patients like Oyebanji and countless others, the message was clear: arthroplasty is not merely a medical procedure; it is a second chance in life.