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A broken nose or nasal fracture occurs when the bone in the nose cracks or breaks, usually the bone above the bridge of the nose.
Contact sports, falls, physical fights, and car accidents that lead to facial injuries are the most common causes of nasal fractures.
A broken nose might be accompanied by pain and, in most cases, nosebleeds. Bruising and swelling around the nose and beneath the eyes can occur as well. Also, the nose may appear crooked, and it could be difficult to breathe.
The treatment may involve procedures to realign the nose but surgery is not required.
By Able Health I Medically reviewed by Dr. Alireza Estedlal
Page last reviewed: February 2024 I Next review due: February 2026
To fully understand the implications associated with a broken nose, it's important to know the basics of nasal anatomy. Two nasal bones and flexible cartilage make up the nose. The nasal bones provide the nose support and structure, whereas the cartilage enables flexibility and movement. Furthermore, the nose is an essential part of our respiratory system since it filters and humidifies the air we inhale.
The signs and symptoms of a broken nose are:
Medical providers often diagnose a broken nose through a physical exam. They will also evaluate the nasal outer appearance and check for signs of bruising, swelling, and deformity. Sometimes, imaging tests like CT scans or X-rays may be recommended to determine the degree of fracture and identify any related injuries.
The extent and seriousness of the injury will determine when to see a medical provider. For symptoms that are mild with no major deformity, immediate care may be enough. But if you experience severe bleeding, breathing difficulties, or other indications of more serious injury, then you should go to the emergency room right away. The specialists will evaluate your condition and administer proper treatment.
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Before receiving medical assistance, administering first aid for a broken nose could help relieve discomfort and minimize swelling. You can prevent more displacement of the nose by stabilizing it with your hand and gently pressing on it. Also, use an ice pack or cold compress covered in a piece of cloth to help ease pain and reduce swelling. Most importantly, do not blow your nose or stick anything in it because doing so may aggravate the damage.
Broken nose treatments often range from simple icing to surgical procedures, depending on the extent of the damage. They include:
A nasal fracture that doesn't cause the nose to become crooked or misshapen may not require surgery or realignment. Instead, using ice packs and over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen often helps reduce the symptoms of the cracked nose.
Most importantly, ensure that you follow the guidelines given by your provider for better results.
For severe cases, a nasal hematoma might occur on one or both sections of the septum, the part of the nose separating the nostrils. A septal hematoma involves a pool of blood that accumulates in the septum.
If not treated, septal hematoma could result in perforation or a hole in the septum. Furthermore, it may cause saddle nose deformity, which is a collapsed nasal bridge. The doctor will thus have to drain the septal hematoma in order to prevent these complications. Draining of septal hematoma should done sooner since tissue necrosis or death might start within 24 hours following the injury.
The medical professional will need to correct or realign the nasal bones if the injury causes them to shift out of place. They will first administer local anaesthesia to numb the nose before gently pushing the cartilage and bones back in position. However, general anaesthesia may be recommended based on your age and the extent of the damage.
The doctor may have to wait several days before conducting the manual realignment procedure. The purpose of this is to give time for the swelling to decrease.
After realigning the nasal bones, a gauze packing may be inserted in the nostrils while the exterior of the nose is dressed. Sometimes, the provider might also apply a temporary splint to give more support. You can remove the gauze packing and the dressing within a week or two.
To prevent infection, antibiotics may be prescribed as well.
Surgery may be necessary for the severely fractured nose to realign the bones and clear the obstructed breathing. General anaesthesia is administered during this procedure to ensure comfort while performing the nasal reconstruction.
The types of nasal reconstruction surgeries are:
Recovering from nasal fracture usually involves resting and letting your body naturally heal. Based on how severe the fracture is, recuperation times can vary. It's thus critical to keep up with follow-up meetings with your physician in order to monitor the healing process and ensure appropriate recovery.
In addition, to manage pain and swelling during the healing process, you may need to apply cold compresses, take prescribed medicines, and refrain from activities that can exacerbate the injury.
Although most cases of fractured noses resolve without any complications, there are certain risks involved. Infection may result if appropriate hygiene is not kept up during the healing process. Also, chronic nasal blockage could arise if the fracture leads to structural damage that impairs nasal airflow. In addition, breathing problems and the need for additional treatment may occur from a deviated septum, which is a displacement of the septal partition.
For cases of broken nose, prevention is always preferable to cure. Using protective equipment, like helmets and facemasks, when participating in sports activities can help reduce the chances of injury. It's also important to avoid physical fights or assaults by practicing conflict resolution skills to prevent nasal fractures. Furthermore, the risks of accidents that could cause a broken nose can be minimized by practicing safe driving techniques, including using seat belts and observing traffic rules.
Extra attention is required when managing or treating a broken nose in children. Because their nasal bones are still growing, they are more likely to break.
Children's treatment options may vary from adult's because of their distinct physiological and anatomical features. It is thus crucial to speak with a medical expert with a background in pediatric care for proper management and best results.
While you can't entirely prevent nasal fractures, you can lower the risk by practicing these safety measures:
It's still important to see a healthcare provider as soon as you can even though a broken nose is not often an emergency,. Early intervention can help lower the chances of long-term complications including deformities, and breathing problems.
On the other hand, treatment of minor nasal fractures might be unnecessary. However, you may require treatment or surgical procedures if you have a serious fracture or several cracks.
Recovery typically takes 6 weeks or less, regardless of the treatment you get.
Seek medical care if:
After treatment of a broken nose, you may still be required to see a healthcare provider if:
Consider asking your medical doctor such questions if you have a fractured nose:
A nasal fracture can mend itself within a few weeks. However, if your nose heals before the realignment procedure, it could cause irreversible complications like deformity and breathing difficulty. Because of this, it's essential to seek medical attention as early as you can.