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

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.

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.

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