Does nose cartilage bend back into place?

Question

I never broke my nose or fractured it, I know because I had 100% perfect breathing as a kid. But I got an recent injury DID NOT HURT IT OR BRUISE IT AT ALL. The issue is that my septum is deviated to the right and now I can't breathe out of that nostril. THE ENT said that the cartilage is deformed and the septum is deviated, and that I need surgery. But I think, won't the cartilage just bend back to being straight if it wasn't broken? Also, can try moving it myself (since cartilage is flexible?)

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I would not try to overthink this, as there are surgical maneuvers to address this. Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

William D. Losquadro, MD · Answer

The septal cartilage is extremely difficult to reposition after trauma and will not bend back on its own.  In more severe cases where the septum has been fractured in multiple places, it may be possible to reposition it under anesthesia and hold it in place with splints.  Most injuries, however, cause it to dislocate at the floor of the nose and where the septal cartilage meets the septal bone; these require a septoplasty to open the airway and restore normal breathing.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

The short answer is no. I've never seen any non-surgical approach that will reliably straighten a nasal septum. Manipulating your nasal septum is bound to not work, best case scenario, or injure your septum in the worst case scenario. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Stuart H. Bentkover, MD (retired) · Answer

Once fractured or dislocated (which deviates it), the septum needs to be corrected surgically.  The cartilage and the bones of the septum may need to be trimmed, sutured and reinforced.  Sorry, I wish it was simpler.  I have attached a link to some crooked noses with very crooked septums.

Does nose cartilage bend back into place?

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Does nose cartilage bend back into place?

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