Nasal Bone Fracture
Common nasal bone fracture symptoms include:
How to tell if I have broken my nose
- Nose pain
- Crooked nose
- Swelling on the outside or bridge of the nose
- Bleeding from inside or outside the nose
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Bruising around the eyes
What to Do if You Have a Nasal Fracture
After a nasal fracture, seek out medical care immediately. Follow all of your healthcare provider’s instructions and routinely apply ice on and off for 72 hours, then apply heat for bruising. After four to five days, if the nose is still crooked because of bone displacement, then they are likely a good candidate for a fractured nose repair. This is typically done within seven to 10 days but not longer than 10 days. If cartilage has been dislodged (upper lateral cartilage is the most commonly dislodged), that cannot be repaired until six to 12 months later.
What Is Nasal Fracture Reduction?
Nasal fracture reduction is used to treat acute nasal fractures. It involves realignment of nasal bones and cartilage to help patients breathe comfortably through the nose.
Manual realignment is often used for nasal fracture reduction under anaesthesia. Realignment of displaced bones and cartilage typically needs to be done within 14 days of when a patient experiences a broken nose.
During a nasal fracture reduction procedure, a patient receives medication via injection or nasal spray. Their nostrils are then opened with a nasal speculum (instrument used to widen the nostrils). Next, any broken bones and cartilage are realigned to ensure that the nose functions correctly.