Will my nose go back to normal size eventually? (Photo)

Question

While boxing i was accidentally headbutted and it fractured my noae but i wasnt aware of it. It swelled up and in about 2 weeks when down so i sparred again and was punched in the nose one good time and then my nose became displaced and bigger. About 3 weeks after that i had a closed reduction and septoplasty done which made my nose straighter but im about 2 days shy of a month post-op and its still significantly huge. Is this permanent?

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

You may still have significant soft tissue swelling even after a month.  However sometimes closed reductions do not return your nasal bones to their preinjury positions.  It may be that you will require a formal rhinoplasty with nasal osteotomies to correct this.  However all swelling should be resolved before undergoing this procedure.

Mark Beaty, MD · Answer

It is possible that some of what you are seeing is swelling even one month out.  It also may be that the nasal bones were splayed apart from your injury.  I have treated several boxers and wrestlers, I generally recommend that they do not pursue a final corrective rhinoplasty until they have stopped competing because of the risk of new injuries.

Oleh Slupchynskyj, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Hi,
Although you are only one month post-op you do appear to have a wide nasal bridge and bulbous tip. This can be due to swelling, your nose is still going through the healing phase and will go through changes. I recommend waiting about 8-11 more months before considering a revision rhinoplasty. 
  
Best,Dr. S

Will my nose go back to normal size eventually? (Photo)

Answers (3)