One year after rhinoplasty, my nose has a bump where cartilage graft was performed. Is a steroid shot usually effective? (photo)

Question

I had rhinoplasty nearly one year ago this month. I'm satisfied with results, but I now have a small bump on the side of my nose where my surgeon placed a cartilage graft to correct a depression. During a follow-up, he discussed a steroid shot, and then possibly surgery if that doesn't work. Are steroid shots usually effective? Complications? Another physician suggested removing it with a laser. I declined, but how effective is that?

George Volpe, MD · Answer

If one has had a cartilage graft during a rhinoplasty, it is possible in certain circumstances for the graft to be visible and also felt. Grafts are sometimes placed to improve the structure and sometimes they are placed to elevate a depression.However, not all bumps are due to graphs. It could be due to scar tissue build up, or other bony or cartilage issues. Steroid injections probably work best with scar tissue. Theoretically if it is graft tissue it could possibly work although it is very difficult to determine the dosage. Too high a dosage could cause issues with surrounding tissue and the overlying skin. A surgeon would need to examine your nose to determine exactly what the bump is from.

Aaron Stone, MD · Answer

Onlay cartilage grafts for depression are usually placed over depressions in the nasal bone. This is over the alar-upper lateral cartilage junction. If this is not where the graft was placed it either slipped out of position or this is scar. Your surgeon is in the best position to make that differentiation. A steroid injection will not get rid of this if it's cartilage. A fractional ablative laser or a non-ablative laser isn't likely to affect this whether it's scar or cartilage because it's too deep below the surface.

Suleyman Tas, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your question. A bump caused by the swelling can be removed by the steroid shots which are more effective than the laser. If it doesn't work it can be removed by the minor surgical interventions. To find out more please click on the attached link. Best Regards

Salih Onur Basat, MD, EBOPRAS · Answer

Hi and thanks for your question . 
First of all, you have to talk about this bump with your plastic surgeon because this part of your nose don’t require cartilage graft in primary rhinoplasty. There may be cartilage excess because of the inappropriate cartilage resection or inappropriate adherence of the cartilage to the peripheral tissue. If your doctor sure that is cartilage , you will need minor revision surgery, not steroid injection.
Best of lucks

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

If the swelling is secondary to scarring a steroid injection may be helpful. If you're seeing an irregular edge of the cartilage graft a minor revision will be necessary. This can be determined with a physical exam by your surgeon or a revision rhinoplasty specialist.

One year after rhinoplasty, my nose has a bump where cartilage graft was performed. Is a steroid shot usually effective? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Steroid injection for nose bump

Answer: Steroid injection for nose bump

Answer: Steroid Injection for Bump after Rhinoplasty

Answer: Steroid Injection for Bump after Rhinoplasty

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One year after rhinoplasty, my nose has a bump where cartilage graft was performed. Is a steroid shot usually effective? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Steroid injection for nose bump

Answer: Steroid injection for nose bump

Answer: Steroid Injection for Bump after Rhinoplasty

Answer: Steroid Injection for Bump after Rhinoplasty

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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.