Can you have symptoms from a nasal fracture nearly 3 months after the trauma? Experiencing in my nose and face

Question

Broke my nose playing rugby. Saw a plastic surgeon who wants to do a septoplasty later this year. Had to delay bc I recently had neck surgery. I've been experiencing a lot of pressure on the side the nose where I took the hit all the way down to the teeth. Hard to describe but it's like someone squeezing my nose. Similar to sinus pressure but not painful. Could this be related to the trauma or sinuses or both?

Colin Pero, MD, FACS · Answer

Most likely, you have suffered some structural damage to your septum, nasal and/o facial bones.  It is also possible you had a (likely temporary) nerve damage that is causing this sensation.  If it is in your upper teeth in the midline, that is more likely and will almost always resolve spontaneously but it may take weeks or months.  A CT scan is not a bad idea to rule out other causes and you would likely be best serve by a Board Certified Facial Plastic or Plastic Surgeon also Board Certified in Otolaryngology (ENT).  Best of luck.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Trauma to the nose can cause lots of issues. The result can be a non-displaced nasal fracture, a displaced nasal fracture, a deviated nasal septum, and a fracture of the upper lateral cartilage off the nasal Bones. In addition to the twisted nose, there can be breathing issues created. Chronic sinusitis is best documented with a CAT scan of the sinuses. If chronic sinusitis with polyps is present, then endoscopic sinus surgery is performed. All this must be sorted out after a thorough internal and external examination by a double board certified ENT/facial plastic surgeon.

Can you have symptoms from a nasal fracture nearly 3 months after the trauma? Experiencing in my nose and face

Answers (2)