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Steroid Injections for Hard, Swollen Tip After Rhinoplasty?

I had a open Rhinoplasty exactly one year ago. Much of the work was to reduce the tip because it was bulbous. My tip is still hard and swollen. I went to the surgeon for my one year check up, and she gave me a steroid injection. Will this injection actually work to break up the swelling/scar tissue? Should I be taping the nose or massaging it? Isn't one year past the surgery too late for these techniques? Thank you!

Asked 36 months ago by Jupiter6

Steroid injections useful for Rhinoplasty side effects

The use of steroid injections to reduce scar tissue or certain side effects of Rhinoplasty is quite common, and most specialists have used this technqiue once or more. It is not usually used until most healing has occured (9-12 months or longer). It is effective and your nose will continue to become smaller as each year goes, by not just the first year. This is due to loss of soft tissue volume.

Doctor's Website

Richard Gentile, MD

Cleveland Facial Plastic Surgeon

Steroid Injections Post Rhinoplasty

In some patients, scar tissue forms underneath the skin envelope which is thick and firm. This can make the shape of the nose larger and rounder than ideal. Steroid injections can help break up the scar tissue and give the nose an improved shape when used appropriately.

Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hard tip of nose and steroid injection

Corticosteroids may help accelerate resolution of swelling due to residual inflammation one year after rhinoplasty, and I know of no other method to accomplish this. The alternative is just to wait. There could easily be edema contributing to a large and firm nasal tip one year following your procedure. If the size of your tip is too large and it is NOT due to swelling, the steroids may not be helpful. Unless your surgeon recommended it, I would NOT massage or tape.... more

Doctor's Website

Steve Laverson, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Steroid injections will help

Steroid injections will work to break up swelling and re-channelize the lymphatic edema that occurs in the supratip area of the nose. It does also break up scar tissue. Taping or massaging the nose will not do any good after a rhinoplasty. Hardness and swelling should start to subside one year past the rhinoplasty. However, depending on the tip techniques and cartilage grafting techniques that were performed on the nose, it could stay swollen for a very long period of time.... more

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William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty and steroids

Steroids injected into the tip may or may not be helpful. Yes, it can reduce residual swelling, but too much may cause soft tissue atrophy and telangiectasias of the skin. I think you just have to give it some more time and be patient.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Steroid Injections for Nasal Tip Hardness One Year After Rhinoplasty

Hi Jupiter, Wait and see how the steroid injection works out. It may soften the firmness. It is possible that you have cartilage grafts in your tip that are contributing to the hardness. Your surgeon best knows what she did at the time of surgery, and is in the best position to answer your questions. Massaging and taping will not help at this point. Good luck and be well. Dr. P