When is cartilage stable after rhinoplasty?

Question

I know that bones take roughly 6-8 weeks to be as stable as they were before the operation but what about the cartilage? As far as when can you manipulate your nose with normal actions without perminantly rotating your tip for example.

Suleyman Tas, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your question. Each patient heals in a different manner. Generally speaking cartilage healing may take 6-8 weeks, but the final result can be achieved in one year post operation. For more information please click on the attached link.Best Regards

Yannis Alexandrides, MD, FACS · Answer

I would say that you would require 6 weeks for the initial healing process of the cartilage. This varies from patient to patient.

Greg Bran, MD, PhD · Answer

Hi there and thank you for your question. Cartilage doesn't heal like bone after rhinoplasty. Whenever cartilage is split or cartilaginous grafts are added, all pieces of cartilage need to be sutured to the area where they are supposed to remain. Some sutures used are dissolvable, some sutures placed are non-dissolvable in order to make sure the pieces  of cartilage stay where they have been placed. After rhinoplasty scar tissue forms around the cartilage and this adds to the stability of the nose. This usually takes 2-3 months, similar to the bone healing time. 
Kind regards, 
GB

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

Instructions following rhinoplasty surgery vary depending on what was done but generally I recommend avoiding any trauma or forceful manipulation of the nose for about 6 weeks after surgery.

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When is cartilage stable after rhinoplasty?

Answers (4)

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