Steroid Injections for Hard, Swollen Tip After Rhinoplasty?

Steroid injections help expedite the resolution of swelling and inflammation.  They can also dissuade scar tissue from forming.  When needed, the are usually they are more effective when injected sooner than 1 year out.  You may still have some residual swelling, but it may also simply be how your nose is going to continue to look if it is due to the underlying cartilage framework.  If you are still noticing slow, but steady change, its probably best to see the effect of the injection and give it a little more time.

Proven methods include massage, steroids, and time. With massage, do not be overly aggressive and follow the instructions of your surgeon to prevent increased inflammation. Steroids are most helpful in the early weeks to months after surgery, but may be used years later as well. With time, sometimes years, all hardness and swelling will eventually subside.

Depending on your skin type, and what was done during your rhinoplasty surgery, you may have persistent swelling in the lower third of your nose. If steroid injections are not helpful in achieving your goals, consider re-asking your query with photos, or consider a second opinion from another rhinoplasty specialist. Hope this helps. Dr Joseph

It is common for surgeons to CAREFULLY inject steroids following a rhinoplasty to help modulate the swelling and healing process.  This is ideal in the early months as the nose is inflamed and still changing.  Once you no longer see change in the nose the likehood of steroids working becomes less.  A nose usually stays swollen up to 1.5yrs so its possible the steroid injections may help a little at this point but I wouldnt expect a major change.  Time will tell

It’s not unusual for patients to experience significant
swelling following rhinoplasty surgery. This swelling may persist for 12 to 18 months following surgery and
results in the nose being extremely stiff. When this situation arises steroid injections are occasionally
helpful. It’s important to use steroids
judiciously because they can cause hypopigmentation, spider veins and skin
atrophy.Swelling
usually resolves with the passage of time. For this reason, patients considering steroid injections should consider
the pros and cons of this maneuver before proceeding.