How to Be Sure You Had a Broken Nose in the Past?

Question

Hi, I had an accident when I was around 11 years old, I fell face flat on the ground from about 6 feet in the air. Although that seems harsh, I attempted to break the fall by landing on my arms. As a result, I broke my arm (minor). My arm is fine, but I think my nose was affected more. I have trouble breathing and I developed a bump on my nose. My family has normal noses, but mine grew abnormally. At 21, I am very self-conscious about it. It never bled, but is there a chance it was broken?

Thomas A. Lamperti, MD · Answer

It'd be hard to find out for certain if you had broken your nose so long ago. It probably doesn't really matter whether your fall when you were 11 led to a nasal fracture and your current breathing problems.

	To help with your problems you should visit with a facial plastic surgeon who can examine your nose and determine what is going on inside your nose and discuss with you what changes you'd like to make to your nasal appearance.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Based on your history there is a good chance your nose was broken at the time of your injury.  From a surgical standpoint, however, the approach to both the cosmetic as well as breathing issues would be the same.  If you had a nasal fracture your insurance may cover the surgery, or at least partially, but there is no way to prove it at this point.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Chances are that your nose was not broken since it did not bleed. Some noses just grow that way. Insurance will cover any breathing problem whether or not the nose was broken.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

If your nose actually hit the ground when you fell, then it is possible that it could have been broken.  If you are not happy with the appearance of your nose, I would recommend seeing a facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon that is experienced in rhinoplasty surgery.  With an in person consultation, you would be able to discuss your concerns and see if you are a candidate for surgery.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

It sounds as though the septum and the nose could have been broken during the injury.  X-rays will not be of help at this time since it has been many years since the injury and any fracture lines will have disappeared.  A physical examination of both the internal and the external portion of the nose will document whether or not it has been fractured in the past.  Breathing is usually related to the fracture of the septum, also known as a deviated septum. The septum can be straightened and repaired during a septorhinoplasty procedure for both functional improvement and cosmetic purposes.

How to Be Sure You Had a Broken Nose in the Past?

Answers (11)

Answer: Finding out if broke your nose

Answer: Finding out if broke your nose

Answer: Broken nose?

Answer: Broken nose?

Answer: Broken nose or not.

Answer: Broken nose or not.

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Answer: Possible broken nose in the past

Answer: Possible broken nose in the past

Answer: Broken nose from childhood injury

Answer: Broken nose from childhood injury

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How to Be Sure You Had a Broken Nose in the Past?

Answers (11)

Answer: Finding out if broke your nose

Answer: Finding out if broke your nose

Answer: Broken nose?

Answer: Broken nose?

Answer: Broken nose or not.

Answer: Broken nose or not.

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Answer: Possible broken nose in the past

Answer: Possible broken nose in the past

Answer: Broken nose from childhood injury

Answer: Broken nose from childhood injury

Browse related questions

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.