Can putting pressure on nose bridge cause damage to the nasal bones after rhinoplasty?

Question

I am exactly 1 year 1 week post op. After exercising I felt like my nose swelled up just a bit. I wanted to know if it was just 'swelling' so i put pressure on both sides of my nose bridge. It was not ALOT of pressure but it was enough that it caused discomfort. I stopped and i am pretty sure my nose looks the same, but i want to be sure that nothing harmful has happend. Could putting pressure fracture/displace/move/damage nasal bones this far from surgery? thanks.

J. Phillip Garcia, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello.The nasal bones heal like any other bone in the body when they are fractured.  They form a callus and heal as a result. This takes time.  You are out of the window for your bones to be displaced with routine pressure.  However, the bones can very easily move if the force is great enough i.e.. a blow. Best of luck.

William Marshall Guy, MD · Answer

Hello Ashleykm,I tell my patients for the first 6 weeks to avoid wearing glasses unless they are suspended from the forehead to prevent shifting of the nasal bones.  After about 6 weeks it would take a force strong enough to have broken your nose anyway to cause any damage.  It is conceivable with enough force that you could have moved those bones but that is highly doubtful (and would have been exquisitely painful).  The swelling could represent a problem with a graft that was used at surgery.  If you are concerned I would recommend you follow up with your surgeon for a complete evaluation. I hope this helps and good luck.

Satyen Undavia, MD · Answer

Thanks for the Question Ashley. Unless you put significant pressure 1 year after a rhinoplasty, you should be fine. If you did actually do any damage, it would have caused significant discomfort, and some swelling and a change in the appearance. Pressure over the bridge is mostly an issue in the immediate postoperative period, until the nasal bones have healed. Hope this helps.

Julian W. Dixon, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. At the one year point you should typically be able to consider your nose fully healed. Thus light pressure, even light trauma should no significantly harm anything. Obviously you want to avoid causing any damage but simply applying a cold compress should not cause harm. Of course it is best to check with your provider. Hope this helps.

Harry V. Wright, MD · Answer

This long after your rhinoplasty you can consider your nasal bones as stable as they were before your surgery. Finger pressure alone should not disrupt them. Best wishes!  Harry V. Wright MD, Sarasota, Florida

Can putting pressure on nose bridge cause damage to the nasal bones after rhinoplasty?

Answers (7)

Answer: Pressure on nose

Answer: Pressure on nose

Answer: Long-term stability of nasal bones following rhinoplasty

Answer: Long-term stability of nasal bones following rhinoplasty

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Can putting pressure on nose bridge cause damage to the nasal bones after rhinoplasty?

Answers (7)

Answer: Pressure on nose

Answer: Pressure on nose

Answer: Long-term stability of nasal bones following rhinoplasty

Answer: Long-term stability of nasal bones following rhinoplasty

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.