Breathing Problems and Cracking Noise in Nose. What Can I Do? (photo)

It is difficult to know if your symptoms are related to previous trauma as they are not uncommon complaints in patients without previous injury.  The cracking is probably nasal cartilage rubbing against one another andI would discourage you from doing this if you can avoid it.  It highly likely that your functional airway can  be improved along with your profile.   I would recommend an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon who specializes in airway problems such as a facial plastic surgeon.   Good luck with your search.    

Your history and pictures suggests that you have a post-traumatic nasal deformity and deviated nasal septum with resultant airway obstruction. Under these circumstances, it’s not unusual for plastic surgeons to perform rhinoplasty and septoplasty in combination. This approach has significant advantages including improved aesthetics, lowered cost and one recovery.
                It’s virtually impossible in your case to make a specific recommendation without a physical examination. If you’re considering this approach it’s important to consult a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this area. This surgeon should be able to formulate a treatment plan that addresses your anatomic findings and achieves your aesthetic goals. 

You might have something very simple going on, or the situation might be more complex. A thorough assessment by a board certified plastic surgeon will help you get to the bottom of the problem. A good surgeon will be able to guide you through options that are available and help you achieve what is realistic and hopefully as close yo what you want as possible.

From your photographs and description of your breathing problems it is likely that a septoplasty and turbinate surgery would be beneficial.  It is possible that other reconstructive methods would be appropriate to ensure an adequate airway.  

An in-office exam is essential to determine what you may need to have done to improve the shape as well as function;

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your nose it really does not matter if you think you broke it or not. The nose does have a normal nasal cycle and most only breathe through one side at a time to allow for a natural 'rest' of the nasal lining. Time to see a plastic surgeon for an exam.

A complete history and full nasal exam is in order.  You see, within your nose, there is erectile tissue throughout your nasal conchae (turbinate tissue) and these structures help control nasal airflow via the autonomic nervous system.  And that clicking sound you hear/feel: It is the juxtaposed lateral nasal cartilages moving against one another.  Isn't the nose simply fascinating?!

If you fractured your nose "a long time ago" the nose has healed.   The size of each nasal airway normally will change throughout the day even in people without symptomatic breathing issues.You are aware of this because you have some anatomic obstruction.An examination would be necessary to determine the cause of your breathing problem.

The turbinates have a mechanism called periodicity where one swells and the other shrinks. So you can breath better on one side then the other. The cracking is the upper More a pop than a crack.latera cartilages being pulled from against the septum .