How to diagnose a potential old nasal bone or cartilage fracture?

If you have severe dissatisfaction with the appearance of your nose, whether or not it was fractured is largely unimportant. Additionally, we can tell by examining somebody's nose if it feels like there was a previous fracture. Please consider meeting with several reputable rhinoplasty specialist who offer computer imaging so you could see what to expect after artful surgery. Thank you for your question. Sincerely, Dr. Joseph

if you suspect a past nasal bone or cartilage fracture, it's essential to consult with a qualified healthcare provider, preferably an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist or a facial plastic surgeon. They can perform a thorough examination and may use imaging studies to assess the structure of the nasal bones and cartilage. Here are some general steps that a healthcare provider might take:

Clinical Examination:

The healthcare provider will conduct a physical examination of your nose, assessing for any asymmetry, deformities, or irregularities.
They may inquire about your medical history, including any previous nasal injuries or trauma.
Imaging Studies:

X-rays: X-rays can provide images of the nasal bones and help identify fractures. However, they may not provide detailed information about cartilage injuries.
CT Scan: A computed tomography (CT) scan can offer more detailed images of both bone and cartilage structures in the nose.
Endoscopy:

Nasal endoscopy involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a camera into the nasal passages. This allows for a closer examination of the internal structures, including the nasal septum and turbinates.
Symptoms and Functionality:

The healthcare provider will inquire about any symptoms you may be experiencing, such as nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, or changes in smell.
They may assess the functionality of your nasal passages to determine if there are any obstructions or issues related to a previous fracture.
Patient History:

Your healthcare provider will ask about the circumstances surrounding the suspected injury, including the time of occurrence, any immediate symptoms, and any treatments received at that time.
Remember that self-diagnosis is not recommended, and it's crucial to seek professional medical advice. A healthcare provider can provide an accurate diagnosis based on a combination of clinical examination, medical history, and, if necessary, imaging studies.

If you suspect a nasal fracture or have concerns about the appearance or function of your nose, schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation. They can provide appropriate guidance on further diagnostic steps and potential treatment options.

If you had a fracture as a child it could be hard to confirm. However if you don’t like the appearance of your nose a nasal fracture many years ago will have no impact on the surgery if you de use you want to have a rhinoplasty. So it’s information that’s not needed

If you see a bump and irregularities, and you care enough to have a rhinoplasty, the surgeon will smooth out the bump and try to fix the irregularities. Perhaps they were caused by the accident. Perhaps they are there naturally, as part of your genetics. But either way, they would be handled the same way by the surgeon. It doesn't really help the surgeon to know exactly how the bump got there, in advance of surgery.

If you decide to have a rhinoplasty, you should know that rhinoplasty is an exquisitely difficult operation to get right, and you should only have surgery if you are able to make yourself very confident in your surgeon's skills. Any nose operation requires advanced techniques and skill that most plastic surgeons don't possess with expertise. It's much better to not have surgery than to have inexpertly-performed surgery. Read my essay on how to stay out of trouble while selecting a rhinoplasty surgeon. And it also discusses how to take photos that are best for online evaluations.

There is no way to be certain that your bump and other irregularities are due to the accident when you were younger. There is no x-ray, scan, or other option.
But, it doesn't matter! If you don't like those irregularities or bumps they can be changed. You can still get the outcome you want.

As an ENT and Facial Plastic Surgeon, this is not an uncommon question but in most cases there is no definitive way to tell with studies after the fact. Even in the acute time after injury, the best way to diagnose a fracture is by clinical examination. The only way to 100% say the part of someone's nasal anatomy that cosmetically or structurally bothers them was to know what they looked like before an accident and then see them shortly after. Sometimes in the operating room we can see fractures in cartilage or callus formation along the bones and then we know there was a fracture or trauma that caused a change in the anatomy. I understand wanting to know if there was a fracture, but ultimately it doesn't change the treatment plan. If you are unhappy with the way your nose looks, the best way to address that concern is to contact an ENT/Facial Plastic Surgeon or Plastic Surgeon who specializes in Rhinoplasty surgery in your area.

Nasal bone fractures heal by adding more bone cells, so an x-ray or CAT scan is not gonna show anything. It's important to remember that bone is living tissue and repairs itself when there's an injury. If you have a dorsal hump that bothers you, then you need to have a cosmetic rhinoplasty to remove it. If you have a deviated septum causing nasal obstruction, then you'll require a septoplasty. Both a septoplasty and a rhinoplasty can be performed simultaneously under one anesthesia with one recovery period.