Will my nose be normal after being hit with a softball and now looking crooked.

Question

Yesterday I got hit in the face with a softball.it seems to have been in the side of my nose. Now it looks crooked and I'm scared it will be permanent. There was no bleeding after the trauma nor runny nose. It is swollen on the side of my face and I hope that is causing my nose to be crooked. But for now it seems crooked and when I run my finger thru my nose it feeling like the Bone is crooked but I want a doctors help. Hopefully it a cause by the swealing. Thank you

Donn R. Chatham, MD · Answer

Noses are frequently the recipient of trauma, and injury. Sometimes a blow to the nose is strong enough to fracture the bones and displace the septum. When this happens the nose may look ‘crooked’ and the airway may worsen.  An evaluation with an experienced physician/surgeon can help determine if surgery would be necessary.

John Layke, DO, FACS · Answer

Without photos, it is difficult to assess your nose.  However, unless several deformed, most rhinoplasty surgeons will wait for several days to allow swelling to subside, and then make a determination whether or not a corrective procedure will be necessary.  The other option is to obtain nasal X-rays or a CT scan which will give your physician definitive information.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Trauma to the nose can cause a non-displaced nasal fracture which is not treated. Trauma can also cause a displaced and crooked nose which will need to be treated to have the nasal bones reset straight. In addition, a deviated septum can occur from fracturing of the nasal septum. The upper lateral cartilages can also become fractured off the nasal bones which creates a crooked nose as well. It's important to seek out a consultation with ENT/facial plastic surgeon to evaluate the internal and external portion of the nose and document the extent of the fractures. For many examples of  straightening a broken nose, please see the link and the video below

Robert S. Schmidt, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Sorry to hear about your injury! I've been seeing a lot of this sort of thing lately. I'd wait through the weekend for the swelling to go down, then have a visit with an ENT or facial plastic surgeon early next week. They'll be able to tell you for sure if you have a broken nose and if your septum was affected. If so, it's easy enough to repair it. Check out my blog post for more on broken noses!

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

All surgeons participating in this forum wish we had the ability to answer your question without seeing you. I strongly recommend that you consult with a surgeon within the next week for an examination and diagnosis because there are treatments that are best provided within the first 10 days after injury.

Will my nose be normal after being hit with a softball and now looking crooked.

Answers (5)

Answer: Nasal trauma

Answer: Nasal trauma

Answer: Will My Nose Be Normal after Trauma

Answer: Will My Nose Be Normal after Trauma

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Will my nose be normal after being hit with a softball and now looking crooked.

Answers (5)

Answer: Nasal trauma

Answer: Nasal trauma

Answer: Will My Nose Be Normal after Trauma

Answer: Will My Nose Be Normal after Trauma

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.