When Osteotomy is Done to Narrow Nasal Bones, Could the Bones Shift Back and Move?

The nasal bones certainly can move after osteotomies and is probably the most important reason not to bump your nose after rhinoplasty.  Sometimes that bones are only "greenstick fractured" and not particularly mobile.  Other times, the fracture is clean and they can be quite mobile for a couple weeks and capable to movement with light trauma up to 6 weeks.

Often a rhinoplasty does not require osteotomies. If it does, it is used to 1. close an open roof nasal base or 2. refine the dorsum. If done through an external percutaneous approach it can be carefully controlled as it does not spring back to the pre-operative position.

Nasal bone healing after osteotomy takes only 2-3 weeks to be relatively stable if the osteotomies were complete and therefore, they don't spring back.

Yes, nasal bones can potentially move after rhinoplasty. Cosmetic nose surgery typically involves an osteotomy, where the nasal bones are cut. One may think of an osteotomy as a controlled "broken nose". Any potential movement usually occurs within the first couple weeks after rhinoplasty. Therefore, be careful and avoid contact sports or activity where the nose may be hit. Generally, the nasal bones will fuse and become stable 6 weeks after rhinoplasty.

Your plastic surgeon will help guide you during your recovery process. Best of luck.

Dr. Chaboki

 

Nasal bones are pretty set 2-3 weeks after osteotomy with complete fusion at 6 weeks.  Complete osteotomies will not migrate. Incomplete ones may shift during healing.