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Here is my take on broken noses: A nose can be technically broken but not have outward or inward deformity and not cause any cosmetic or functional change: You look the same (after the swelling goes down in a week) and you have no change in nasal breathing. Thus, regardless of an x-ray finding, nothing needs to be done. If there is an obvious deformity or difficulty breathing after a week, then further treatment is indicated.
It can sometimes be difficult to tell if you've suffered a broken nose. Some of the tell tale symptoms include fairly significant pain and continued tenderness for days after the initial injury, bruising of the area, a bloody nose, increased nasal congestion, or hearing/feeling a loud pop or crack during the initial trauma. Any visible external changes to the upper third of the nose can also indicate a fracture. Sometimes, if the fracture is significant enough, you can actually feel some of the bones moving when you palpate the area. If you are seen in the ER or urgent care, they will frequently order an xray or other scan of the nose which can confirm the diagnosis. One thing I always remind patients with any concern for a broken nose, is get in to see someone that can manage this within around 5-10 days after the injury. This includes Facial Plastic Surgeons, Plastic Surgeons, or most ENTs. After about 14 days, the bones will heal and fuse in their current position and if they are misaligned, they will be unable to be addressed without going to the OR and "rebreaking" the bones. Hope this helps! Kyle Kimura, MD
Hello, thanks for the great question!Signs and symptoms of a broken nose include: tenderness to touch, new deviation or any change to the shape of the nose, swelling, bruising, bleeding, change to your ability to breath through the nose, and black and blue eyes. The first thing to do in a situation in which you believe the nose may have been broken is to hold pressure if there is heavy bleeding and to head to the closest nasal specialist near you, which includes ENT doctors and plastic surgeons. If there are no specialists available, the next best place to go is to the emergency room. A trained professional should perform a complete head and neck exam to determine in the nasal bones are fractures. Typically imaging is not required for diagnosis. If the bones are in fact broken, they should suggest either immediate reduction or a delayed reduction sometime within the next few days to weeks.Hope this helps!Best,Dr. G Dominick J Gadaleta, MDFacial Plastic SurgeonDG Facial Plastic SurgeryPalo Alto, CA
The clinical symptoms of a broken nose after a nose trauma or accident are: bleeding, swelling, bruising around the eyes, deformity such as a crooked nose, or flat nose, difficulty breathing and some times pain. My advise is to go immediatly to an emergency room to be examined and have some x rays and CT scans taken and if possible having your nose taken care that same day
The most obvious sign of a broken nose is crockedness. This can be difficult to see early after the injury becase of swelling. Bruising (black eyes), a nose bleed at the time of the injury are also suggestive of a break. However, swelling can make it difficult to evaluate for a break, so it's always best to see a qualified physician to evaluate the injuryt. If you have severe pain inside the nose and blockage of nasal breathing, an injury called a septal hematoma is possible. In that case seek medical attention right away. Thanks for your question.
Any traumatic nasal injury can cause the following:BleedingSwellingChange in the shape of your noseSeptal Haematoma (blood collection in the septum) - this needs to be dealt with urgentlyI would suggest seeing an ENT/nasal surgeon as soon as this has occurred to ensure there are no acute complications that need addressing eg. Haematoma. If there is an obvious deformity, this needs to addressed within 2 weeks via a simple manipulation of the nasal bones. Any longer and you will require a formal rhino/septorhinoplasty.
