Nasal Fracture Surgery SoHo, NY

Nasal fractures, often called broken noses, are injuries in which one or more nasal bones are cracked or broken, and the cartilage that shapes the nose may also be affected. These injuries frequently involve the nasal septum, the internal wall between the nostrils, which can lead to complications such as obstruction of airflow, infections, or changes in the nose’s structure, including deformities like a saddle nose. Such fractures typically occur from sports accidents, falls, or other blunt trauma, making timely medical evaluation and treatment crucial to avoid further issues or permanent damage.
 
The nose is made up of:

• Nasal Bones: Situated at the highest portion of the nasal structure, the nasal bones comprise two bones placed side by side. Together, they form a pyramidal architecture that shapes the top third of the nose, providing both support and definition. This bony foundation is crucial for maintaining the nose’s structural stability, protecting underlying tissues, and contributing to the overall balance and proportion of the facial features.
• Cartilage: The middle and lower sections of the nose are supported by a total of five individual cartilages. The upper lateral cartilages occupy the middle portion of the nose and help connect the bony upper third to the lower tip. The lower lateral cartilages, commonly referred to as tip cartilages, define the nasal tip and maintain its shape while allowing for natural flexibility. This combination of cartilaginous support ensures that the nose remains both functional and aesthetically balanced.

Damage to the nasal bones, cartilage, or supporting framework of the nose is considered a broken nose. This definition covers injuries ranging from mild impacts to more severe trauma.

1. Accidents: Collisions involving vehicles, accidents at the workplace, and incidents at home are common sources of nasal fractures. Even minor collisions or impacts can produce enough force to damage the nasal structure, potentially affecting both the bones and cartilage. Proper medical evaluation is essential for ensuring correct healing and preventing long-term issues.
2. Sports Injuries: Individuals participating in high-contact sports, such as football, boxing, rugby, or mixed martial arts, face a higher likelihood of nasal trauma. Direct hits to the nose during practices or games can easily cause fractures, making safety precautions and prompt medical care imperative for athletes.
3. Falls: Falling from a height, slipping on wet surfaces, or losing one’s balance can all result in nasal injuries. Vulnerable populations, particularly children and older adults, are at greater risk for sustaining broken noses from falls, highlighting the importance of rapid medical assessment.
4. Physical Altercations: Nasal fractures frequently occur as a result of physical confrontations or assaults. These injuries often involve additional facial trauma, and seeking timely professional care is vital to address both functional and cosmetic concerns effectively.

A broken nose can sometimes go unnoticed by the individual who sustained it. Any prior accident or trauma to the nose may have led to a fracture. It is important to give your surgeon a thorough history of any such injuries so that an accurate assessment and appropriate treatment plan can be made.

Nasal fracture symptoms may present differently depending on the injury’s location. A key symptom is typically a noticeable change in the nose’s appearance, impacting the bone, cartilage, or both. Some of the deformities that can result from a broken nose are:

• Open Roof Deformity: Open roof deformity is observed when the nasal bones in the upper third of the nose do not align properly following a fracture. The disruption of the typical pyramidal shape creates raised ridges along the nasal top, a direct result of improper bone healing. This condition can impact both the nose’s appearance and its structural stability, often requiring corrective procedures.
• Deviated Nose (Bridge): A deviated nasal bridge occurs when trauma causes the nasal bones or cartilage to shift, producing a crooked appearance as the nose leans to one side. Such misalignment can result from fractures that alter the central nasal axis, affecting both aesthetics and the ease of breathing.
• Deviated Nose (Septum): When a fracture involves the septum, the central wall separating the nostrils may move out of position, leading to a deviated septum. Depending on the degree of displacement, individuals may experience symptoms such as nasal obstruction, nosebleeds, or noisy breathing during sleep. Treatment may involve surgical realignment for improved function and appearance.
• Saddle Nose: Saddle nose develops when trauma to the septum causes the central portion of the nose to collapse or sag. This deformity modifies the nasal profile and can result in functional breathing issues. Surgical intervention is usually necessary to restore both proper nasal function and a natural aesthetic.

Fracturing the nose usually leads to pain, inflammation, and visible bruising around the nasal region and under the eyes. Some of the key symptoms that are often seen include:

• Nasal Pain: Pain around the nose, particularly in the bone and cartilage areas, is a frequent symptom following injury or surgery. This pain may be intensified by movement, touch, or facial expressions, and can last several days to weeks, depending on the severity of the trauma.
• Swelling and Bruising: Swelling and visible bruising often appear in the nasal region and beneath the eyes after trauma or surgical intervention. These effects are part of the body’s natural healing process, but careful attention is needed to reduce discomfort and support recovery.
• Breathing Difficulty: Patients may notice restricted nasal airflow due to injury-related obstruction or swelling. This limitation can make it challenging to breathe normally through the nose and may require temporary measures or surgical evaluation to restore function.
• Nosebleeds: Following nasal trauma, frequent or persistent bleeding from the nostrils can occur, occasionally leading to the accumulation of clotted blood within the nasal cavity. Proper care and monitoring are critical to prevent complications.
• Runny Nose: Excessive or watery nasal discharge may accompany injuries or irritation, sometimes in conjunction with swelling or bruising. This symptom can cause discomfort and requires monitoring to ensure no underlying infection develops.
• Nasal Septum Issues: Misalignment or injury to the nasal septum—the wall dividing the nostrils—can result in compromised breathing, increased bleeding risk, and potential deformities. In certain cases, surgical correction may be necessary to restore proper nasal structure and function.

Determining the presence of a nasal fracture involves checking for standard symptoms such as localized pain, swelling, and any obvious deformities. The main physical signs that may indicate a broken nose consist of:

• Visible Deformity: Trauma to the nasal structure can produce a clearly noticeable deformity, resulting in a crooked, uneven, or misshapen appearance. Such changes can be concerning both aesthetically and functionally, highlighting the need for proper evaluation.
• Severe Pain: Pronounced pain in the bones and cartilage of the nose is common after injury. The discomfort may intensify with touch, movement, or facial expressions, making it difficult for patients to perform normal daily activities without assistance or pain management.
• Swelling and Bruising: The nose and surrounding tissues, including the area beneath the eyes, may swell and display bruising. This response is part of the body’s natural healing process but can be visually striking and may require care to reduce inflammation and discomfort.
• Difficulty Breathing: Obstructions caused by nasal trauma can make breathing through the nose challenging. Patients may experience blocked nasal passages, congestion, or labored airflow, which can impact sleep and daily functioning until properly addressed.
• Nosebleeds: Persistent or frequent bleeding may occur from the nose, with occasional clotting inside the nasal cavity. Such events require careful monitoring and, in some cases, medical intervention to manage complications.
• Discharge: Following nasal trauma, patients may notice the presence of blood-tinged fluid or clear watery discharge. This can accompany swelling and pain, and monitoring the symptom is important to ensure proper healing and avoid infection.

Seek professional medical attention if you have strong, ongoing nasal pain that over-the-counter remedies cannot relieve, problems breathing through the nose, or a noticeable deformity such as a bent or crooked nose. Continuous nosebleeds, clear nasal drainage, or facial injuries with associated vision or neck symptoms also demand prompt evaluation. Children in SoHo should be assessed quickly to minimize the risk of lasting complications. At MouradMD, our experts provide SoHo residents with complete nasal fracture management, ensuring effective recovery and preservation of nasal health over time.

Surgery is commonly the chosen approach for fixing a broken nose. The type of procedure is guided by the fracture’s timing and the degree of trauma involved. In most cases, two main forms of surgical correction are used for nasal fractures:

• Closed Reduction: The closed reduction technique is specifically suited for nasal fractures identified and treated within seven days after trauma. During this early period, the bones remain flexible, allowing a practitioner to apply external pressure to realign them into the correct position. Typically carried out under local anesthesia in an outpatient clinic setting, closed reduction is ideal for simple bone fractures and provides a non-invasive solution for realignment. Despite its effectiveness for bone repositioning, this method does not correct underlying nasal septum deviations, airway obstruction, or complex structural deformities that may have resulted from the injury.
• Open Reduction/Internal Fixation: When nasal fractures are addressed after the initial seven-day window, the bones begin to solidify, which complicates realignment using external pressure alone. In such instances, an open reduction with internal fixation is often required. This surgical approach may involve an osteotomy, whereby the bones are deliberately rebroken and realigned to ensure accurate structural correction. This method not only restores proper nasal alignment but also corrects any deformities resulting from the fracture, supporting both optimal nasal function and appearance for the patient.

During open reduction, other corrective procedures may be indicated to manage secondary effects or complications that develop as a result of trauma to the nose.

• Septoplasty: Septoplasty is a specialized surgical technique that targets a misaligned or deviated nasal septum. When the septum is out of position, it can cause blockages that interfere with normal airflow and may contribute to chronic nasal congestion or sinus problems. The procedure involves repositioning or reshaping the septal cartilage and bone to open the nasal passages, which allows for more effective airflow and a noticeable improvement in breathing comfort. Septoplasty supports better nasal function, helps alleviate obstructive symptoms, and can enhance overall quality of life.
• Nasal Valve Surgery: The nasal valves play a critical role in regulating airflow through the nose, and any weakness or collapse can lead to restricted breathing and discomfort. Nasal valve surgery is performed to strengthen, reconstruct, or reposition the nasal valve structures to restore proper airflow. Patients undergoing this procedure often experience improved respiratory function, increased comfort during daily activities, and enhanced nasal efficiency. By addressing both functional and structural concerns, nasal valve surgery ensures the nose performs optimally while maintaining its natural form.

Proper healing after nasal fracture surgery at MouradMD depends on diligent recovery and consistent follow-up. Postoperative care emphasizes alleviating swelling, controlling pain, stabilizing the nose with splints, and steering clear of any physically demanding tasks. A summary of these important recovery 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.

When a nasal fracture occurs, it is essential to be evaluated by a skilled specialist. The trauma that results in a broken nose may also cause additional injuries, including damage to the head or brain, as well as fractures to other facial bones such as the jaw, cheekbones, eye sockets, or skull. Other possible complications related to a broken nose include:

• Septal Hematoma: A septal hematoma is characterized by the accumulation of blood within the septal cartilage and adjacent soft tissues. This condition can create swelling, tenderness, and nasal obstruction, and it carries a risk of severe complications if left untreated. Potential outcomes include the loss of septal cartilage, formation of a septal perforation, infection, or permanent structural deformity. Timely diagnosis and treatment, often involving drainage and follow-up care, are crucial to preserve the function and shape of the nose.
• Deviated Septum: A deviated septum refers to the displacement or tilting of the nasal septum from its normal midline position. This misalignment can restrict airflow, leading to chronic congestion, recurrent sinus infections, and difficulty breathing through the nose. Additional symptoms may include frequent nosebleeds, snoring, and impaired sleep quality. Surgical correction through septoplasty is the most effective method to realign the septum, restore proper nasal function, and improve overall respiratory comfort.

When a nose fracture occurs, it can have a serious effect on a person’s health and functionality. For this reason, medical insurance often includes coverage for treatment, especially in situations where the injury obstructs normal breathing and affects daily living or lowers overall life quality.