Can A Doctor See If Nose Cartilage is FRACTURED Upon Inspection?

Question

My septum is straight, but I still have lots of trouble breathing out of my right nostril, almost like there's a little rock stuck inside. I sniff hard to try to clear it but it never goes away. If something is fractured off the bone, can a doctor see that during inspection or only during surgery? I got an X-ray but I heard x-ray only shows bone. I am really worried that the cartilage won't be able to be re-attached if it's broken inside my nose :(

Lucian Ion, FRCS · Answer

Septal cartilage fractures are difficult to determine on clinical examination since there are many developmental problems there have similar characteristics.
An MRI scan may be able to detect lines of fracture but it is essentially a waste of effort because the surgery will have to determine the type of intervention required on the septum.
Displaced segments of the nasal septum can be repositioned successfully and the septal cartilage segments can be reattached. Cartilage is a special tissue that does not have the ability to heal and joint to cartilage like other tissues do. Instead, it is stabilised by scar tissue that attaches to it.
The foundation of your indication for surgery is a combination of nasal airway problems and possible external appearance issues. On this basis, your Surgeon will determine together with you the plan of action, which will always need to be adapted to the findings during surgery.

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

There can be multiple reasons for obstruction of the nose while breathing following a rhinoplasty. The most common reasons are swelling, secretions and mucous plugs. This should improve over the first few weeks and months. Subsequently a bony or cartilaginous obstruction is possible as is the possibility of internal valve collapse. You will need a thorough examination of the nose from the outside as well as inside to figure out a reason for the obstruction. It would be best to discuss this with your Rhinoplasty Surgeon who can examine you and help you.All the best!

Timothy Osborn, MD · Answer

It doesn't take much to obstruct a nose unfortunately. It can be bone, cartilage, mucous membranes, or the anatomic relationship between them. A nasal exam both internal and external can identify most sites of obstruction and give you an idea of what it would take to fix it. Sometimes it involves treating the nose and sinuses medically, and then if not improved looking into surgical options. Sometimes we remove the obstruction, sometimes we support the area next to the obstruction to open up the passageway, but it depends on a good diagnosis. If it is cartilage, there are usually ways to reshape or replace it in order to get it to function appropriately. Have someone do a good examination, talk with them about the findings and what it would take to correct it.

Waleed Ezzat, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.I’m sorry to hear that you are having difficulty breathing through your nose. Any board-certified specialist will be able to perform a full clinical, including endoscopic, examination to see the anatomy of the nasal passages and determine what is causing you to have nasal obstruction.  This will apply whether it’s This will apply whether it’s due to bone, cartilage, or soft tissue.Good luck!Dr. E

John T. Lindsey, MD · Answer

A very important start is to obtain a good history from you.  Did you experience nasal trauma?  Is this chronic?  Do you have allergies?  Have you had previous nasal surgery?
Assuming this is trauma related, it is possible that something "is fractured off the bone."  A good history and a thorough nasal examination, both internal and external, can go a long ways towards making a correct diagnosis and treatment plan.  After examination by a rhinoplasty expert, additional X-rays or CT scans are often unnecessary.    
Problems that can cause nasal airway obstruction (other than septal deviation) are nasal polyps or tumors, turbinate enlargement, displaced or torn cartilage or bone, external valve collapse, internal nasal valve collapse, and scarring. 
If a proper diagnosis is made, corrective surgery is often successful.

Can A Doctor See If Nose Cartilage is FRACTURED Upon Inspection?

Answers (6)

Answer: Examining the nose for obstruction

Answer: Examining the nose for obstruction

Answer: Right-sided nasal airway obstruction

Answer: Right-sided nasal airway obstruction

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Can A Doctor See If Nose Cartilage is FRACTURED Upon Inspection?

Answers (6)

Answer: Examining the nose for obstruction

Answer: Examining the nose for obstruction

Answer: Right-sided nasal airway obstruction

Answer: Right-sided nasal airway obstruction

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.