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How Long Does It Take for Cartilage to Attain Full Strength After a Rhinoplasty?

I had revision rhinoplasty ten and a half months ago. The nasal bones were broken, and the tip was redefined using an ear cartilage graft. I was out dancing the other day and my friend accidentally knocked my nose. It didn't hurt at the time, or the next day - but I was a bit drunk at the time so wasn't as sensitive to pain as I usually am. I know that the bones heal pretty quickly (as in two or three months after surgery), but how long does a cartilage graft to become strong and stable?

Doctor Answers 6

Revision Rhinoplasty

March 14th, 2013
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The nose at this point will be about 95% healed. It's important to remember that trauma that would cause injury to a normal nose will also injure an operated nose. Please continue to be patient with your results, as they will continue to improve.

Web reference: http://www.rhinoplastynet.com/rhinoplasty-revision.html

Babak Azizzadeh, MD


Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.0 out of 5 stars 7 reviews

Cartilage Strength After Rhinoplasty

January 16th, 2013
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In general, if you have had a rhinoplasty and have a subsequent injury that may or may not have fractured your cartilage graft, one would need to see your plastic surgeon. If any damage has occurred, depending on the significance, this may or may not require operative intervention.

Rod J. Rohrich, MD

Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 45 reviews

Cartilage Healing after Rhinoplasty

January 6th, 2013
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Ten months after surgery your cartilages have healed, but you could have injured the nose if this trauma had occurred before your surgery. As long as there has been no change in the appearance or function of your nose (breathing) you have nothing to worry about.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 35 reviews

Cartilage graft

January 5th, 2013
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At ten months your cartilage grafts should be pretty solid and should not have a significant problem if lightly struck.

Steven Wallach, MD

Steven Wallach, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
4.1 out of 5 stars 23 reviews

Nasal Trauma after Rhinoplasty

January 4th, 2013
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   This is a very common question, and the answer is if it looks the same as before then you are OK.  If the nose looks different, then you need to be seen by your plastic surgeon.

Kenneth B. Hughes, MD

Kenneth B. Hughes, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 440 reviews

Cartilage strength 10 months after surgery.

January 4th, 2013
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Thanks for the question. Ten months after nose job your cartilage as strong a normal one. I don't think there is any need to worry unless the nose is deformed in which case it need to be fixed. Wish you all the luck.

Web reference: http://www.dubai-aesthetica.com/face/female-nose-job.html

Ashok Govila, FRCS, MCh, MS

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.