What is this condition called when your cartilage sticks out on one side of your nostril? Can it be fixed? (photo)

Question

It’s embarrassing I’m 37 years old now and have been living with this my whole life. Can it be fixed and does insurance cover it? It’s been like this as long as I can remember. Does insurance cover this? Is it fixable?

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

It appears to be a portion of your cartilaginous septum that is deviated.  A septoplasty would take care of this.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  Based on
your photograph alone, you may have a deviated septum.  If you are experiencing breathing problems, then this may be covered by your insurance provider, depending on your plan coverage.   Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most
important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend
that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Avron Lipschitz, MD · Answer

The fullness you are describing and photographed is a prominent medial foot plate of the lower lateral cartilage. improving this would require a small incision and repair under local anesthetic. Evaluation of the rest of your nose is required to ensure a good result.

Gregory Lakin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photo and question. A septorhinoplasty can correct your prominent medial crystal footplates as well as your deviated septum.  I recommend consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in rhinoplasty to discuss your goals, examine you, and show you before/after pictures to give you a better idea what type of result you can expect to get. Good luck!

John Layke, DO, FACS · Answer

The "condition" to which you are referring is the fact that you have a prominent medial crural footplate, which is a portion of the medial crura.  There are many "easy" fixes for this, short of a rhinoplasty that can permanently reduce its appearance.  I recommend consulting with a Board-Certified plastic surgeon experienced in rhinoplasty, who will accurately examine you and determine the best course of therapy.  Insurances will likely not cover this, unless it obstructs your nasal passage, limiting your breathing.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

This is called a deviated septum, and he usually blocks   Airflow to the affected side.  If it does affect airflow, there may be a medical necessity involved ,so that it can be billed to your medical insurance.

What is this condition called when your cartilage sticks out on one side of your nostril? Can it be fixed? (photo)

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