At MouradMD, we provide expert care for Brooklyn residents experiencing broken noses and nasal fractures. Our skilled surgeons specialise in treating conditions such as cartilage damage, nasal septum displacement, and facial trauma. Whether your injury occurred from an accident, a fall, or a sports-related incident, we offer effective solutions, including nasal splints and advanced reconstructive surgery, designed to restore both normal breathing and facial aesthetics. Patients from Brooklyn can trust our personalized treatment approach, ensuring every step of the process is tailored to your unique needs. Contact us today for professional, compassionate, and results-driven nasal care.
A nasal fracture, commonly referred to as a broken nose, consists of a crack or break in the nasal bones and sometimes the cartilage. Such injuries can affect the nasal septum, the partition between the nostrils, leading to potential complications like impaired breathing, infection, or structural deformities such as a saddle nose. Broken noses often result from accidents, sports-related trauma, or falls, and require immediate evaluation and treatment to prevent additional harm.
The nose is made up of:
Nasal Bones: At the uppermost part of the nose, two nasal bones are positioned side by side. These bones converge to create a pyramidal structure that defines the top third of the nasal framework.
Cartilage: The remainder of the nose, including the middle and lower thirds, is supported by five distinct cartilages. The upper lateral cartilages occupy the middle section, and the lower lateral cartilages, also referred to as tip cartilages, form the tip of the nose and provide structural integrity and shape.
Any instance in which the nasal bones, cartilage, or supporting structures are damaged can be classified as a broken nose. This designation applies regardless of whether the injury is minor or more severe.
Common Causes
Accidents: Vehicle accidents, workplace incidents, and accidents that occur in the home are common causes of nasal fractures. Even minor collisions can sometimes apply enough force to the nose to cause structural damage.
Sports Injuries: Engaging in high-contact sports like football, boxing, rugby, or mixed martial arts carries a heightened risk of nasal injuries, with broken noses frequently occurring from direct blows to the face.
Falls: Falling from a height, slipping on wet surfaces, or losing balance can lead to nasal trauma. Children and elderly individuals are particularly susceptible to broken noses due to falls.
Physical Altercations: Being involved in fights or physical assaults can result in nasal fractures and other facial injuries, making it important to seek medical evaluation if trauma occurs.
Many individuals may have suffered a broken nose without realizing it. Any past event that involved a direct hit or trauma to the nose could have caused a fracture. It is extremely important to share a full account of any nasal injuries with your surgeon to ensure proper diagnosis and management.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs of a broken nose can differ based on the specific location of the injury. A primary symptom is often a noticeable alteration in the appearance of the nose, affecting the bones, the cartilage, or a combination of the two. Some of the nasal deformities that can occur as a consequence of a fracture are:
Open Roof Deformity: Open roof deformity arises when the nasal bones that form the upper third of the nose fail to converge correctly after a fracture. The normal pyramid structure is disrupted, resulting in raised ridges along the top of the nose where the bones no longer align properly. This irregularity is the direct consequence of improper bone healing following trauma.
Deviated Nose (Bridge): A deviation of the nasal bridge occurs when the nose leans to one side due to misalignment of the nasal bones or cartilages. This can result from fractures that alter the central axis of the nose, giving it a visibly crooked appearance.
Deviated Nose (Septum): When a nasal fracture involves the septum, the central wall separating the nostrils can become displaced. This may produce mild to moderate symptoms, such as blocked nasal passages, nosebleeds, and noisy or labored breathing during sleep, depending on the degree of deviation.
Saddle Nose: Saddle nose develops when a fracture compromises the septum, causing the middle portion of the nose to collapse or sag. This condition alters the overall nasal profile and may require surgical intervention to restore both function and aesthetic appearance.
When the nose is fractured, it generally causes discomfort, inflammation, and bruising that extends around the nose and beneath the eyes. Some of the most frequently observed symptoms are:
Nasal Pain: Patients may experience pronounced pain surrounding the bones and cartilage of the nose, often worsening when pressure is applied or when moving the nasal area.
Swelling and Bruising: The nasal region and areas under the eyes can swell and show bruising as a result of trauma or surgery, creating visible discoloration.
Breathing Difficulty: Damage or blockage within the nasal passages can lead to restricted airflow, making it difficult to breathe comfortably through the nose.
Nosebleeds: Frequent or persistent nosebleeds may occur, sometimes leading to the development of clotted blood within the nasal cavity.
Runny Nose: Watery discharge from the nose can be present, often accompanying other nasal injuries or irritation.
Nasal Septum Issues: Injury or misalignment of the nasal septum can occur, affecting the division between the nostrils and potentially causing breathing difficulties or structural deformities.
How to Tell if Your Nose is Broken?
Assessing a potential broken nose involves observing for common symptoms, including tenderness, swelling, and visible deformities. Key physical signs that may suggest a fracture include:
Visible Deformity: Following nasal injury, the nose may take on an irregular, crooked, or otherwise altered shape, which is clearly noticeable.
Severe Pain: Patients may experience sharp or throbbing pain around the nasal bones and cartilage, especially when touching or moving the nose.
Swelling and Bruising: The area surrounding the nose can swell noticeably, with visible bruising appearing under the eyes and across the nasal bridge.
Difficulty Breathing: Trauma can obstruct the nasal passages, making it difficult to inhale or exhale comfortably through the nose.
Nosebleeds: Frequent or continuous bleeding from the nose may occur, sometimes resulting in clotted blood within the nasal cavity.
Discharge: The nose may produce a watery fluid or blood, which can accompany swelling and discomfort following injury.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical care if you experience severe, ongoing pain that does not improve with over-the-counter pain relief, difficulty breathing through your nose, or a visible deformity such as a crooked nose. Continuous nosebleeds, clear fluid discharge, and facial injuries accompanied by vision problems or neck pain also require urgent attention. For children in Brooklyn, prompt evaluation is especially important to prevent long-term complications. At MouradMD, our specialists provide Brooklyn patients with comprehensive nasal fracture care, ensuring both functional recovery and long-term nasal health.
Book a consultation with Dr. Mourad to assess your nose injury
Surgical correction is the most common approach for repairing a broken nose. The choice of surgical method is determined by both the age of the fracture and the severity of the injury. Two primary forms of surgery are generally performed for nasal fractures:
Closed Reduction: This method is appropriate for nasal fractures treated within seven days of injury. Because the bones are still malleable, they can be adjusted back into proper alignment using gentle external pressure. The procedure can be done in a clinic with local anesthesia and is most suitable for simple bone fractures. It does not, however, correct issues that involve the nasal septum or airway abnormalities.
Open Reduction/Internal Fixation: For fractures that are treated after the first week, the nasal bones have begun to solidify. In these cases, an osteotomy may be necessary, which involves strategically rebreaking the bones to restore proper alignment. This surgical approach ensures that the nasal framework is repositioned correctly and any deformity resulting from the fracture is effectively corrected.
When open reduction is performed, other surgeries may sometimes be needed to manage complications or secondary effects that arise from trauma to the nasal structures.
Septoplasty: A surgical approach that focuses on straightening the nasal septum, septoplasty alleviates obstruction in the nasal passages. Correcting the septum enhances airflow, making it easier to breathe and improving the efficiency of the nasal airway.
Nasal Valve Surgery: Injuries or congenital weakness in the nasal valves can reduce airflow and cause difficulty breathing. This surgery reinforces or reconstructs the nasal valves, ensuring proper nasal function and supporting improved respiratory comfort.
Complementary Procedures
Nasal Packing and Splints: Following surgical procedures on the nose, nasal packing and splints are used to hold the nasal bones and cartilage in their corrected positions. These supports play a critical role in stabilizing the nasal structure and promoting safe, effective healing.
Reconstructive Surgery: For patients with severe nasal fractures or deformities such as a saddle nose, reconstructive surgery is undertaken to repair the damaged structures. This surgery restores the nose’s functional ability while also improving its cosmetic appearance, providing both health and visual benefits.
MouradMD provides expert surgical care, tailoring each treatment plan to the unique needs of every patient. Our goal is to ensure a smooth and complete recovery from nasal trauma while optimizing both nasal function and appearance.
What is the Recovery and Follow-Up Like for Broken Nose Surgery?
At MouradMD, proper recovery and follow-up care following nasal fracture surgery are vital for achieving optimal healing. Post-surgical management includes addressing swelling and pain, using nasal splints for support, and avoiding physically demanding activities. A brief overview of these steps includes:
Pain Management: Use prescribed pain medicines.
Nasal Splints: Stabilize nasal passages.
Activity Restrictions: Avoid strenuous activities and nose blowing.
Follow-Up Appointments: Monitor healing and address complications.
Additional Surgery: May be needed for severe fractures or deformities.
Children’s Care: Ensure proper nasal development and function.
What Are The Risks If A Broken Nose Is Left Untreated?
When a nose is broken, obtaining a thorough evaluation from a qualified specialist is critical. The impact that causes a nasal fracture can also lead to other injuries, including head or brain trauma and fractures of the facial bones, such as those of the jaw, cheek, eye socket, or skull. Other potential consequences associated with a broken nose include:
Septal Hematoma: This occurs when a pocket of blood forms within the cartilage and tissue of the nasal septum, potentially leading to complications such as septal perforation if untreated.
Deviated Septum: This condition involves the nasal septum being moved or tilted from its proper alignment, which can contribute to breathing difficulties and other nasal issues.
Is Broken Nose Surgery Covered By Health Insurance?
Since a fractured nose poses a significant impact on an individual’s health, medical insurance typically covers the necessary treatment. This coverage is particularly relevant if the nasal injury has impaired breathing, resulting in challenges that affect daily activities and reduce overall quality of life.
