Will I Be Able to Play Contact Sports After a Rhinoplasty ?

Question

If yes,how long do I have to wait for ? Will my nose be more vulnerable to fracture again ? I don't play violent sports like boxing,I play mostly soccer and basketball and that's how I broke my nose and got crooked. P.S. I don't want any tip work or removal of the hump , I only want to straighten my nose (bones).Also as my ENT doctor said I don't really need septoplasty.

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. After 4-6 month your operation area is totally healed and yes you can play basketball, soccer and also do other sport activities. I wish you all the best.

Sam Rizk, MD · Answer

Try your best to refrain from strenuous physical activity,
especially contact sports, for at least six weeks after your nose job. Because
you are risking getting hit directly in the face by the ball (even in sports
like soccer and basketball that you are asking about), the longer you wait the
more progressed your recovery will be. It is always better to be
overly-cautious then to risk having the results of your rhinoplasty
compromised.

Scott Trimas, MD · Answer

After undergoing a rhinoplasty procedure, you should wait at least two weeks before exercising and about two months before your nose gets bumped in contact sports. That being said I do not believe your nose is any more susceptible to injury than it would be prior to the injury. However, additional breaks can make the repair surgery less predictable.

Christopher Kolstad, MD · Answer

Hello,

The amount of time away from activity and contact sports should be determined by your surgeon.  They will have specific knowledge about your condition, how well the procedure went, and how well you are healing.  That being said, generally speaking the recommended time away from contact sports will be 3-6 weeks.

Hope this helps.

Jonathan S. Jacobs, MD, DMD · Answer

Thank you for your question. No trauma to the nose should be anticipated for two months after rhinoplasty. It is important to protect your nose to maintain your surgical results. I recommend that you schedule an in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and any concerns you may have. Best of luck!

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Contact sports should be avoided for at least 4-6 weeks after rhinoplasty.  Patients are not permitted to exercise for at least 2 weeks after the rhinoplasty to prevent a nosebleed from occurring.

Robert Kotler, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear RJason;

	If you are at risk for injuries from contact sports, I am not sure you want to take a chance of another injury whether it is six weeks or two years.  A face mask or nose guard is appropriate, and they are certainly available; professional athletes use them after they have had nasal injuries. 

	Soccer and basketball are two of the sports that most commonly cause broken noses.  Even though you only want to straighten your nose, the bones will have to be moved and your nose will be not yet hardened until about six weeks after; it could even be eight weeks.  Your plastic surgeon will decide with you when the time is appropriate to return.

	As far as not needing a septoplasty: if the nose is crooked certainly a septoplasty must be considered because typically, "As the septum goes, so goes the nose."

	Robert Kotler, MD, FACS
	Facial Plastic Surgeon
	Author, SECRETS OF A BEVERLY HILLS COSMETIC SURGEON
	Author, THE ESSENTIAL COSMETIC SURGERY COMPANION

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	I would suggest you wait at least 2-3 months before resuming contact sports. Use protective gear if possible initially.

	Best wishes.

Michael Salzhauer, MD · Answer

YES, you will be able to play contact sports after a Rhinoplasty; HOWEVER, you need to be careful. You should not participate in activities that will increase your heart rate tremendously such as running, cycling, or aerobic activities for at least four weeks after your surgery. This is so that you do not prolong your swelling. Also, you should avoid any contact sports for six weeks because it takes that long for your nose to completely heal. I highly recommend that for the first few months after your Rhinoplasty that you wear a nose guard when playing soccer and basketball. There is a very high chance that you will get hit with the ball in the face, and yes you can break your nose again. Each time you break your nose you are building up scar tissue inside and this will make it harder to repair and it may not heal as well.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Unless you area a professional player most patients wait for 6 to 8 weeks before starting "contact" sports.

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