Broken nose without bleeding/swelling, and does it matter?

Question

I whacked the end of my nose against a post towards the start of the week, while turning my head. It hurt like **** at the time, but was only slightly tender after 5mins and wasn't sore by the end of the day. No bleeding or noticeable swelling. Family's encouraging me to get it checked out, but I don't know if I could have broken it as described above, or if this matters? My nose doesn't look noticeably different (it wasn't straight before, doesn't look any worse now); I can breathe fine.

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.I think you answered your own question. If you are not concerned with it, it may be alright to let it go. If it was not tender later on in the day that you initially hurt your nose, it probably wasn't broken. If it was not straight to begin with and you can breathe normally, then do not necessarily have to have it checked out. It is hard to make a determination without an in person evaluation to know for sure if you truly did break your nose or not. Good luck with your decision.

Paul W. Papillion, MD · Answer

Hello, from what you described, the likelihood of you having a broken nose seems low...however without an exam, no one can say for sure. It matters in that a break that's not treated which could cause changes over time that could be seen later.  Good Luck.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Trauma to the nose can cause a variety of issues such as a non-displaced nasal fracture which can be left alone. A displaced nasal fracture will usually require surgery to reset the nasal bones. A deviated septum can be caused when there's is A fracture of the nasal septum. The upper lateral cartilages can sometimes become fractured and dislocated off of the nasal bones which require spreader graft placement. Best to seek out consultation and examination to document the extent of an injury by an ENT/facial plastic surgeon.

Chase Lay, MD · Answer

The most concerning thing you can have internally would be a septal hematoma which if undetected can cause damage to the nasal septum.  Aside from that if the nose looks and feels overall fine then you probably don't have any concerns.  BUT, go have an ENT take a quick look.  You'll be safe and your family can relax.Chase Lay, MD

Marissa Tenenbaum, MD · Answer

Usually when the nasal bones break, there is bleeding but without bleeding its impossible to say if they are broken or not. If you do not notice anything different and have no difficulty breathing, there is probably nothing that needs to be done. Best, MMT

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

An in person exam is needed to determine if the nose is broken.   If you do not notice anything different and have no difficulty breathing, there is probably nothing that needs to be done.

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Broken nose without bleeding/swelling, and does it matter?

Answers (6)

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