I had my cartilage damaged. How long does the swelling subsides?

Question

Nearly six weeks ago I was punched in the side of the nose and the ENT said I had cartilage damage. The affected side / nostril still appears swollen - how long before this subsides?

Ali Sajjadian, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Alid78,I am sorry to hear of your injury. As for the condition of your swollen nostril, the time frame of healing could be up to one year. Needless to say that immediate and noticeable swelling should often subside within the first 3-4 months but may take more than a year. I recommend that you consult with your doctor if you have more serious concerns. Best wishes,Dr. Sajjadian

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm sorry to hear of your altercation and nasal injury. Surgical trauma with rhinoplasty can take 6-12 months to completely settle and scar tissue to soften and mature, so theoretically injury from another source could take as long to subside. But surgery is controlled and precise, and that punch could have broken the cartilage, displaced the fragments, separated the cartilage from the nasal bones, or caused subperichondrial bleeding that could lead to scar tissue formation similar to wrestlers who develop "cauliflower ears."Only time will tell whether or not you have a persistent deformity affecting appearance, or functional disturbance causing airway obstruction, both, or neither.I would consider waiting a year before determining that surgery is "necessary" to correct either a cosmetic or functional deformity that persists. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Joe Gryskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Alid,I would go on what the ENT doctor said who examined you.  Swelling in the nose can last a year after surgery or trauma.  Perhaps the swelling has subsided, but the cartilage is displaced.  So, yes, keep your doctor in the loop.  All the best, "Dr. Joe"

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

6 weeks should be enough time to see if a permanent deformity has resulted from trauma.  If you still distinctly see a difference in your nose, you may require a procedure to correct this deformity.  Best wishes!

Garrett H. Bennett, MD · Answer

Most swelling of the nose will be minimal a couple of weeks later. If you still have a deformity you should see a facial plastic surgeon for an evaluation. You may have done more permanent damage to your nose. You may also be noticing something that existed before but now you have noticed because of being hit and watching the  area.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Trauma to the nose can cause a fracture of the nasal bones as well as fracturing the upper lateral cartilages off of the nasal bones.  Without any pictures it's difficult to give any opinion. It's always best to seek out in person consultation and examination with x-rays and photographs of the nose for medical documentation. For many examples of crooked nose repair after trauma, please see the link below

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

Follow up with your surgeon so that he can continue to monitor the affected area.  You can continue noticing swelling for a year after the trauma.  If the cartilage is damaged, you may be a candidate for surgery.  Best wishes!

I had my cartilage damaged. How long does the swelling subsides?

Answers (7)

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