Hard Calluses on Left Side of Nose on the Bridge?

Question

I was punched on the nose and it bled. I got an Xray with no signs of fractures. It has been around 7 months now and the calluses is still there, which make my nose look curved like a dorsal fin. The calluses is hard to the touch, and just a little tender. I've done research and found people saying this could be a calcium deposit, and the lump will go away on its own in months/years. Is this true? Or is surgery the only option to fix this? Will massaging the calluses make it heal faster?

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Even though X-ray was normal you may still have broken the bones or twisted the cartilage and that has created the curve you see.  You may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty, although straightening the nose can be one of the more challenging problems in nasal surgery.  Go on a few consults to see what can be done for you.

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Dear andykx213,

	
		A callus usually forms when a bone is broken, and the callus is like bony scar tissue
	
		It gets smaller over time, but it likely will not go back to the way it was
	
		X-rays are notorious for not being 100% accurate, the fact that you bled after trauma and now have a residual deformity makes it highly likely that you broke your nose
	
		Insurance can cover this time of procedure as it resulted from trauma
	
		When you are ready, please visit a rhinoplasty specialist who can address all of your concerns


	Best regards,

	Nima Shemirani

Gregory J. Vipond, MD, FRCSC · Answer

If you were struck in the nose hard enough to cause bleeding, there is a good possibility that the nose was fractured. Many nose fractures will not be seen on an x-ray. As part of the healing process for any broken bone in the body, a callus is formed. These calluses can be felt as bumps along the site of the fracture. To some extent the calluses may decrease in size as the broken bone heals. However, if they are still there after 6 months, it is unlikely that they will continue to decrease in size. In this case, the bumps can be contoured surgically. If they are fairly small, occasionally a needle shave procedure can be done in the office to improve the contour.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A callus is simply the body's response to an injury of either cartilage or bone. Cartilaginous fractures will not show up on x-ray although bony ones usually do.  After 7 months this will most likely not go down on its own. A rhinoplasty would involve shaving down any hump, resetting the nasal bones with osteotomies, and potentially placing a spreader graft  on the concave side under the upper lateral cartilage.Please see the link and the video below for many before and after closed rhinoplasty examples.

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

It is common for calluses to form after nasal trauma. After 7 months these will probably not resolve. They can be removed and the asymmetry and/or deviation corrected. Massage will have no therapeutic value.

Hard Calluses on Left Side of Nose on the Bridge?

Answers (5)

Answer: Rhinoplasty for nasal trauma and callus

Answer: Rhinoplasty for nasal trauma and callus

Answer: Calluses on Left Side of Nose Post Trauma

Answer: Calluses on Left Side of Nose Post Trauma

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Hard Calluses on Left Side of Nose on the Bridge?

Answers (5)

Answer: Rhinoplasty for nasal trauma and callus

Answer: Rhinoplasty for nasal trauma and callus

Answer: Calluses on Left Side of Nose Post Trauma

Answer: Calluses on Left Side of Nose Post Trauma

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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.