Broken bones happen. Unfortunately, when it comes to the nose, it can be hard to make sure that healing occurs properly and that the nose remains symmetrical and functional. Sometimes, trauma is more serious than it first seems, and many people do not seek proper medical care immediately following injury. Improper healing from nasal trauma can greatly throw off the balance of the face, affecting overall aesthetics from crookedness in the nose or other issues. The problems can be more than just cosmetic, however. Depending on the break, improper setting or healing of the bones can lead to breathing problems. If you have experienced either cosmetic or functional issues following a broken nose, then take heart—there is hope for repair with rhinoplasty surgery.

Addressing a Break

If you think your nose may be broken, it is important to seek help immediately. The sooner you can have your nose assessed, the easier it will be to repair the damage. In some cases, all that is required is letting the bones heal, sometimes with the help of a simple cast. The break needs to be set within a few weeks, however, or the bones will begin to knit. Depending on the specifics of the break, you may also want to consider nasal surgery for aesthetic or functional reasons. Issues that can arise from a broken nose include:

  • Crookedness
  • Septal deviation (crooked nasal septum)
  • Septal hematoma (collection of blood in the septum)
  • Injured nasal cartilage

Why Fix It?

The decision to undergo surgery to fix a broken nose is entirely personal, but many people find that undergoing rhinoplasty to fix the changes in the nose caused by trauma helps improve their self-esteem and heal from the injury. Aesthetic changes can cause a lot of self-consciousness, so addressing the issue head on can be a long-term benefit.

What is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a type of nasal surgery, generally performed by a plastic surgeon. This procedure is more commonly known as a “nose job”, and while many cases of rhinoplasty in the United States are for cosmetic purposes, the procedure can have a functional role as well. Surgeons use cartilage grafts and other techniques to address a variety of patient concerns. An involved and difficult procedure, recovery from rhinoplasty takes about two weeks, with residual swelling lingering for several months.

The Role of Osteotomy in Rhinoplasty

If the nasal bones have not set properly following a break, then a technique known as “osteotomy” is often used. This refers to the surgical re-breaking of the nasal bones in order to set them and fix lingering issues caused by the poor healing of the break. This technique basically “resets” the nose and allows the surgeon to create a strong and symmetrical foundation.

Is it Ever Too Late?

As discussed above, it’s always better to get a break addressed right away, but this isn’t always possible. Fortunately, there is no upper age limit to rhinoplasty. It may not be too late to undergo corrective rhinoplasty, but it can be too early. Unfortunately, the nose is a very slow maturing part of the body, and children younger than their mid-teens cannot undergo the procedure, for fear that the results will be compromised as the nose continues to grow. The best that can be done in these cases is to set the nose as well as possible, then consider surgery later on.

Want to Move Forward?

If you are interested in moving forward with broken nose repair, then it is time to get your nasal trauma evaluated, if you have not already done so. Once you know what you will be dealing with, it’s time to move on to choosing a surgeon.

Your plastic surgeon will be the most important factor in your final results, so do not take the decision lightly. You should only choose an experienced, board certified facial plastic surgeon to help you reach your goals, like Dr. Rami K Batniji of Batniji Facial Plastic Surgery. Dr. Batniji is a skilled and compassionate surgeon with expertise in facial surgery, including rhinoplasty, reconstructive procedures, and more. For more information and to schedule a consultation in Newport Beach (949-650-8882) or Beverly Hills (310-467-2180), CA, call either location today.