How many times can you break your nose before the damage is PERMANENT?

Hello rosiecon11,Thanks for your question.Actually the damage is permanent after the first break.  Fortunately for you, you don't mind the outside shape of your nose and you really only have breathing issues.  It would make sense for you to be evaluated by a rhinoplasty specialist who performs breathing reconstruction surgery.  Done properly, you should see minimal change in the aesthetics of your nose, while feeling that you can breathe much better.If you haven't tried medical therapies for improving your breathing, this is something you should do first though.Ultimately, an in-person consultation would be required with someone in your area.Good luck,Dr. Shah

Dear rosieconThere is no set number of fractures and there is no general circumstance when there is no solution at all. In most cases, medical therapy and surgery can help improve your nose structure to a point when you can breath through your nose and improve your quality of life. You will most likely benefit from intervention by an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon who can keep the outside looking the same and improve your breathing. This is often covered by your health insurance.

Thanks for your question. There's no real limit to the amount of times you can break your nose before it doesn't work any more. As you note, some injuries are subtle, some are more obvious. Whether you'd need surgery at all depends on whether or not you have a deformity or if you can't breathe. If you're having breathing issues, then it's time to get checked out. It may be that you have allergies or something that can be dealt with without surgery. You're right: it's a quality of life thing and it all depends on how much your breathing issue bothers you. If it's not so bad, then you don't need to pursue treatment. But it must be bothering you at least some. It can't hurt to go have the conversation with a facial plastic surgeon and see what your options are. Good luck!

Trauma to the nose can cause a displaced nasal fracture, or a non--displaced nasal fracture. In addition, the nasal septum can also become broken and twisted, also known as a deviated nasal septum which causes breathing problems. The upper lateral cartilages and also become fractured off of the nasal bones creating valve collapse and vestibular stenosis. A thorough examination of the internal and the external portion of the nose is required to before resetting the nasal bone straight with a rhinoplasty procedure. A septoplasty procedure would fix a deviated septum and improve air flow through the nose. Each traumatic injury to the nose can cause permanent issues on the internal and external portion of the nose

You should be evaluated by a nasal surgeon to determine the degree of obstruction resulting from your previous fractures/trauma.  Most deviations and deformities are correctable.

Dear rosiecon11, If you are having current breathing difficulties then I would suggest seeing an expert surgeon who performs septoplasty procedures. During consultation an examination will be performed to diagnose your breathing difficulties. If you have a deviated septum then this can be corrected with surgery. This is a functional surgery and is often covered by your insurance. As far as fracturing your nose multiple times this does happen and I personally have many athletes in my practice who have had multiple fractures and have had to have their bones reset as well as correction of the deviated septum to address air flow issues. I would suggest that if you do have surgery then you should be careful to guard your nose in the future especially for the first three months post surgery. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.