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Is It Possible to Only Shave the Bone to Correct a Twisted Nose?

asked 9 months ago by RS100 in Michigan
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 264 times
Tags: crooked, broken nose, shave

My nose was broken on the left upper side when I was 21. Dr. didn't operate,only set it.I'm now 42,and the right side is increasingly curving sideways to the right.Instead of breaking it again to straighten it,is it possible to slightly shave the curved portion to bring it in line,or inject diluted Kenalog into to thin it?If not,why not? The bone should be thick enough to still provide support,and removing about 3mm from the right would be a great improvement.The left side is centered properly.

14 answers to Is It Possible to Only Shave the Bone to Correct a Twisted Nose?

Twisted nose

Without a formal exam it is difficult to comment, but if your nose is "twisted" then more than likely you will need both septal and bony work to straighten it. Simple shaving of one side will not do the "trick."

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Is It Possible to Only Shave the Bone to Correct a Twisted Nose?twisted-nose

The twisted nose is one of the more challenging problems that we have to deal with. If in fact all you have is a small amount of bone protruding then it would be possible to shave it down. I very much doubt that that is the whole problem. The interior aspect of the nose (septum and turbinates) needs to be carefully evaluated as well as the rest of the nose (upper and lower lateral cartilages and nasal bones). You need to see a board certified plastic surgeon or... more

Donald M. Brown, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Shaving bone to straighten nose

Shaving the bowed portion of deviated bone may help improve the crookedness of your nose, but probably won't make it look totally straight. Kenalog injection won't do anything to thin your bone this far out from your nasal injury. Consulting with an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon to get a full assessment would be the best way to find out what your options are.

Thomas A Lamperti, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Is It Possible to Only Shave the Bone to Correct a Twisted Nose?

Yes, the closed nasal reductions do not work IMHO. Pictures, of your nose, would help with the evaluation. Shaving reduces the height, of the nose, and this may not be the reason your nose is crooked. The nasal bones may need to be broken and moved towards the midline in order to straighten out the nsoe.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Shave Bone to Correct Twisted Nose

With all due respect, I don't feel it is necessary for us to explain why Kenalog injections or shaving the bone will not correct a twisted nose. Rather than proposing treatments, it would be better for you to consult with an experienced specialist.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Crooked nose.

Only rarely can doing what you describe be helpful. What tends to happen is that the bump is hiding more of the deviation. As you "shave it" you uncover the more deviated nasal shape and the result is worse. Deviated noses are best released, straightened and supported to maintain shape.

Michael L. Schwartz, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.palmbeachface.com

Twisted Nose

The nasal bones and cartilage form the support of the overlying skin to give the shape of your nose. Shaviong the bone only may not address or improve your injury. With an injury, changes in the position of these structures will need to be made, such as breaking the bones to move them into position.. Many times, further changes in the support is needed by using cartiage or bone grafts to make the nose appear more symmetrical and straight. Some are more straightforward... more

Ricardo Izquierdo, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.FaceAndBodyChicago.com

Minimal Rhinoplasty Techniques Produce Minimal Changes

When it comes to a deviated nose, it is never as simple as doing something that is minor like shaving the bone. Nose deviations involve both bone and cartilage and more extensive techniques such as bone fractures and cartilage manipulation are always needed. One of the most challenging problems in rhinoplasty is to straighten the deviated or crooked nose. It is never as simple as it seems nor are the results always completely predictable.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

Rhinoplasty for crooked nose

It would be unlikely to correct any significant bend without doing osteotomies and also releasing the cartilage. The deviation, even if minor, usually involves the boney and cartilagenous portions of the nasal structures. For example, if a shave is done of the dorsum alone, the result will most likely be an open-roof deformity. You need to consult with an experienced Facial Plastic surgeon. Even simple problems can involve relatively complex repairs. And occassionally,... more

David Alessi, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Conjecturing on how to treat a deviated nose is not useful

Rather than conjecture on what could be done or how it should be addressed, why don't you see a board certified plastic surgeon in your area regarding your nasal deformity? This way you will have someone with expertise who can evaluate you and make appropriate recommendations.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

How to straighten a crooked nose.

There are a number of options to improve the appearance of the nose following trauma. The best approach will depend on the specific anatomy of the individual case.I would recommend you see someone with experience in rhinoplasty.

Jay M. Pensler, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurg.org

Shave

My guess is that your injury include the entire boney an cartlagenous pyramid. You wil need an evaluation by a facial plastic surgeon as to the extent of you necessary rhinoplasty

David A. Bray, Sr., MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Adjusting a crooked nose after fracture

After a nasal fracture reduction the most common cause of a shift is the cartilage in the upper septum and bridge. The cartilage can act like a spring and shift the reduced nasal bones. Shaving the bone on one side does'nt work, though an inward fracture and correction of the cartilage within the bridge should give you results. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Don't dictate your own surgery please

Unless you are a trained medical/plastic surgical specialist, the best thing to do is to identify your concerns, go to great doctors and ask their opinion on how to correct it. Most crooked noses are so because of crooked cartilage so just doing the bone won't generally work.