If cartilage Is messed up on one side of the nose, How do I fix it?

A good intranasal examination is certainly need to understand and hopefully identify the cause of what you are describing. Perhaps a previously placed graft became dislodged. Returning to your original surgeon is always your best bet since he/she was already there and knows exactly what was done. Good luck.

Thanks for your question.  If your septum appears straight and you still have nasal obstruction, there are a number of causes that need to be ruled out.  Don't simply chalking this up to a nasal valve issues and the need for cartilage grafting.  I would seek out a board-certified specialist who is well-versed in functional correction of the nose.  This will require a thorough in-office exam.

Short answer: See a Facial Plastic Surgeon rhinoplasty expert for an evaluation, not just an ENT. The problem first needs to be diagnosed before it can be managed. There are many possibilities what the problem may be and hence you need to be examined in person. Spreader grafts can be placed unilaterally although rarely done. Best,Thomas Walker, MD, FACS

Hello and thank you for your question.  The best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  If you have breathing problems with a collapsed internal nasal valve, then spreaders are the right maneuver.  This decision should be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you and your surgeon.   Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  

Best wishes and good luck.


Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
 

There are a number of things that can produce nasal airway obstruction other than just a deviated septum. An inordinate evaluation is the only way to determine what is causing your breathing problem and what can be done to current it.

A thorough internal and external examination of the nose is going to be required to make a determination about how best to proceed. A septoplasty is performed for deviated septum, and a spreader graft is placed for patients who have valve collapse or weak upper lateral cartilage in the midportion of the nose. A broken nose is repaired with osteotomy's. It is possible to put a spreader graft on only one side of the nose. A runny nose will not be improved with surgery, and is treated medically.

Cartilage doesn’t just fall into one side of your nose. It is possible to view the internal aspects of the nose using a nasal speculum but if the misplaced cartilage is high up in the nasal cavity, then it will not be elucidated during a consultation. If you do have airway obstruction, there are no non-surgical alternatives.

Hi and welcome to our forum!
Your symptoms are non-specific and may be caused by a number of issues, including septal displacement (which may be deep inside your nose), lateral nasal wall collapse, nasal valve collapse, enlarged turbinates, polyps, or swelling caused by allergy, rhinitis, or trauma.
You require a thorough endonasal examination to determine the source. Endoscopy may be of help in determining the nature of your problem.
Best wishes...