I fell 5 weeks ago and broke my nose. I'm still having some difficulty breathing through it and pain. Is this normal?

Question

I fell 5 weeks ago and broke my nose and fractured under my right eye. I'm still having some difficulty breathing through it. I am still having to use the Afrin. It is still painful and throbs to bend over, touch or try and lay down flat. I feel a lump on the right side. Is there anything that can be done at this point? I would appreciate any help. I do not currently have insurance so it makes this more difficult. Thank you for your time and help. I appreciate it greatly.

Edward Farrior, MD · Answer

sf1975 beyond 3 weeks after a nasal fracture it is difficult to perform a closed reduction.  At 5 weeks it will be almost impossible.  My advice would be to allow 3 months for the nose and septum to completely heal and then undergo a open reduction of the nasal fracture and septoplasty if necessary for the nasal airway obstruction.  Any obstruction which is present now and was not present prior to the injury is secondary to your injury and implies a fracture of the nasal septum.  These factors can be corrected with an open reduction of the nasal fracture.  If there was a pre-existing problems with the nasal septum those issues cannot be corrected with an open reduction of the nasal fracture and would require a septoplasty.  Not to worry however these procedures are routinely performed at the same time and typically you'll a much better result than if they are separated.

Michael M. Omidi, MD, FACS · Answer

Difficulty Breathing,
after nose fractureAfter a trauma to the
nose you should immediately see a doctor to examine you.  If the nasal bones are fractured they can be
inset.  Bleeding under the mucosa of the
septal cartilage can lead to devastating complications and should be
immediately drained.  If too much time is
taken to seek care then the bones can heal in the wrong position which can lead
to obstruction of the nasal passages in addition to a deviation of the
nose.   Fractures of the septum can also cause the
nose to become deviated and also obstruct the airway.  Pain may be from poor healing of the bones, bleeding under the septum or other causes.  It should be evaluated soon.If the nose has
healed with the bones out of position or the septum has become deviated then
the bones will have to be broken and repositioned correctly and the septal
deviation corrected.  Correction of the
anatomy can improve the obstruction of the nasal airway.Difficulty
breathing after a rhinoplasty can occur from the nasal bones being brought in,
or the internal nasal valves being injured when the nasal hump is reduced.  Both of these can be corrected by an expert
in this field.  Best of luck,
Dr. Michael OmidiAn in-person exam with a
board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to assess your needs and
provide true medical advice.  The response to the question does not constitute
a doctor patient relationship or formal advice.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

First of all, its important to get off Afrin nasal spray since it can be very addictive. Once your are off the  nasal spray ,it's important to have a thorough examination of the internal and external portion of the nose to document the extent of the fracture. Trauma to the nose  can fracture the nasal bones, fracture the upper lateral cartilages off of the nasal bones, and fracture the septum creating a deviated septum. To straighten the nose requires osteotomies placed in the nasal bones, and sometimes a cartilage graft to support the upper lateral cartilage, also knows as a spreader graft. A septoplasty may also be required to improve air flow through the nose, if it's crooked as well

Joshua A. Halpern, MD, PA · Answer

Sorry your still in pain. You need to have a X-Ray and possibly a CAT scan to evaluate your nasal and facial bones. You also need to consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to evaluate you and your test results.  Then you and your plastic surgeon devise a plan to treat your issues. I hope this helps you.

William Marshall Guy, MD · Answer

Hello SF1975,With difficulty breathing and a bump you can feel it sounds like you definitely broke your nose.  You indicated you had a fracture under your eye which usually means you were evaluated at one point, possibly with a CT scan.  To answer your question, yes you can still undergo a surgical procedure to help both with the breathing and appearance.  An ideal time would have been closer to the original injury, but there are many people who don't mind the initial appearance only to find out they have breathing difficulty and want something done.I would recommend you consult with a facial plastic surgeon and bring any records including imaging from your original injury to determine the best treatment and timing for that treatment.I hope this helps and good luck.

I fell 5 weeks ago and broke my nose. I'm still having some difficulty breathing through it and pain. Is this normal?

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I fell 5 weeks ago and broke my nose. I'm still having some difficulty breathing through it and pain. Is this normal?

Answers (5)

Answer: Broken Nose

Answer: Broken Nose

Answer: Broken nose

Answer: Broken nose

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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.