Is lumpy cartilage after an open rhinoplasty normal?

Cartilage grafts are very common during rhinoplasty.
When you say lumpy cartilage, do you mean that you can see it or feel it.

If you can see it, that may be a concern that you want to discsuss with your surgeon.
If you can feel it, I would not worry at this point but give it time for the swelling to resolve which as stated can take up to a year.

Did the surgeon attempt to narrow your nostrils and did you request this.?

If they narrowed the nose at the base, then it can be wide due to swelling and healing tissue and give this at least 8-12 months to improve.
If they did not narrow the nose, it can be an optical illusion which makes it seem more noticeable after removing a big hump. The other possibility is that it is swelling which is normal at this point in time.

thank you for your question,
Its difficult to give you an answer to your question without consultation or at least see your photos but what can I say is that the rhinoplasty last around 10 to 12 months to settle down.
good luck!!

Without an operative report, physical examination or
pictures it’s virtually impossible to evaluate your clinical course. It’s not
unusual for patients to experience anxiety about their nasal appearance
following rhinoplasty for a variety of reasons.It’s
important to understand that wound healing is a dynamic process that can take
12 to 18 months to reach completion.During this period, it’s not unusual for patients to be anxious and in
some cases unhappy with their result.It’s safe to say that the majority of these patients are ultimately
happy with their result once swelling has resolved and wound healing is
complete.For this reason, revision
surgery shouldn’t be performed for at least a year following rhinoplasty.If
you’re concerned about the appearance of your nose, it’s important to maintain
contact with your plastic surgeon.Your
surgeon should be able to reassure you and alleviate your anxiety.

If one has irregularity or lumps after rhinoplasty, depending on how early post operatively, one can massage that area. If it is present for much after three months and it is hard then it is something that may require a minor in office rasping which is not uncommon. I would wait at least 3-6 months before I would consider doing anything.

Very good question.  The lumps may be a result of cartilage remnants or edges and it is uncertain whether these areas will resorb or stay longterm.  The uncertainty comes because only your surgeon knows the origin of those uneven areas.  In most cases, however, they resorb.

Its hard to tell at this moment. Your nose is swollen and so masks the underlying structural changes. The lump could be cartilage. Sometimes its possible to tell even at this early stage. But this would require an experienced hand. Even though the nose is swollen, it should be symmetric. If its not, then you may in fact have a problem. The degree of which will become clear in time.

At 3 months, you should be seeing basically a slightly swollen version of the end result. There is still some swelling present at three months and some scar tissue will continue to soften. If there is quite a bit of irregularity at this time you may need a revision. Unfortunately, you need to wait until one year from surgery before I would recommend revision rhinoplasty. Things will continue to evolve and your plastic surgery does not want to be working on a moving target. Hopefully, this will simply improve over the next 9 months and you will be thrilled with the results.

I agree with my Colleagues it is best to wait 6 to 12 months for the swelling to resolve.  However if there is visible lumps, irregularity or asymmetry a hyaluronic filler may be appropriate to smooth things out until your healing is complete.

The nose can take 10-12 months to fully settle down. It is not unusual to feel mild asymmetries and contour irregularities for weeks after rhinoplasty. That being said, you should go see your surgeon and voice your issues so that he/she can examine you and help in the assessment.
Bumps can be caused by post-surgical swelling, scar tissue, cartilage asymmetries, and bone shavings or spicules. I usually let patients massage the areas of concern to see if they get better. Taping can help. The two methods only help swelling get better. Sometimes conservative steroid injections can be used to settle scar tissue down. Be careful with this method. Cartilage and bone problems may require revision surgery, but you should wait a full year post surgery to attempt any corrective surgery.
Even though you don't see huge changes at three months, your nose is still evolving and typically will make its greatest change between 8-12 months post surgery. If you have thick, oily skin you may never be able to see a ton of definition because the skin won't let it happen. In the end, see your surgeon a have them go over your list of concerns. If you don't like what they say, you should find a surgeon who specializes in revision rhinoplasty to help you if possible. Good luck.
Dr. Shah

Hi MNM,
Your question is difficult to answer without examining you, and knowing what your rhinoplastic surgeon did. You should return to your surgeon for a check up.
Occaisionally after rhinoplasty patients may feel bumps inside of their nostrils where the incisions have been made. These usually lessen with time. There can also be cartilage edges in "new" places which usually will not go away unless excised. If your lumps are internal, my best advice is to keep your inquisitive fingers and anything else smaller than your elbow out of your nose; and please see your doctor.
If the lumps are noticeable externally, again you need to return for evaluation. Most likely these will need to be addressed with either camouflage with fillers, or excision. We recommend waiting at least 6 to 12 months following surgery before any revision surgery.
The wideness of the base will likely not change much if there is no difference at 3 months. When you see your surgeon, have post-op photographs taken, and compare the base to the pre-op photographs. Nasal base wideness can be corrected with excision of alar soft tissue (where the nostril meets the cheek laterally above the lip) if indicated.
Good luck and be well.
Dr. P