How can I reduce periosteal swelling after rhinoplasty?

Hi,

Time is the best treatment for the periosteal swelling that you are experiencing.  Some patients may benefit from a Depomedrol IM injection, but go over this with your rhinoplasty surgeon.  Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

Swelling after rhinoplasty is one of the most common questions. The periosteum is the thick sheet of tissue that covers bones, and commonly swells especially if bone reshaping was performed during the rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty swelling occurs both on the outside and inside of the nose. Most swelling after rhinoplasty resolves within a month. The final 20% of swelling takes a much longer time to resolve, up to a year or longer after surgery. Fortunately, this final swelling is usually only evident to the surgeon and patient.

Time is the best treatment for nasal swelling after cosmetic surgery. Keeping your head elevated, maintaining the nasal splint/cast, ice, arnica montana, and following your plastic surgeon's guideline may help reduce rhinoplasty swelling. Persistent swelling may also be reduced by steroid treatment into the nose. Don't hesitate to speak to your plastic surgeon about any swelling.