Can a Crooked Nose Be Repositioned Without Breaking It?

Usually no, but without photos impossible to answer accurately. Dr. Adles again has given a good starting point. Seek 3 opinions from boarded surgeons in your area.

From MIAMI Dr. B

First, the explanation Dr. Aldea puts forth is simply incorrect. Most---nearly ALL--septal deviations are NOT from trauma, but are developmental and follow the fusion planes of the septal cartilage with the four bones of the septum. These deviations tend to develop as the person grows into their adult face. Severe enough septal deviations can create external deviations of the nose, too.

Certainly there are cases where trauma causes a crooked nose and septum, but these are IMMEDIATE, not delayed in their presentation. So if the nose was straight after your injury and LATER became crooked, it is nearly impossible that it was secondary to that trauma.

The distinction, however, is largely moot. If the crooked part of the nose is purely of the cartilage, no osteotomies (bone cuts) are typically required. OTOH, a bony deviation WILL require osteotomies for proper correction.

Note that osteotomies are not really the same thing as breaking the nose since the latter implies a violent, painful, and imprecise maneuver. That is simply not how it's done. It's like the difference between smashing a piece of sculpture versus carving one.

Don't fear the osteotomies. :-)

All the best,

--DCP