Nasal Fracture
Nasal fractures, or broken noses, often result from facial injuries in contact sports or falls. You may develop a nose bleed and bruising and swelling and it may be difficult to breathe through the nose. The nose may look obviously crooked or it may be difficult to tell due to swelling.
A collection of blood (called a “septal hematoma”) can sometimes form on the nasal septum on the inside of the nose which needs to be treated promptly. Sometimes imaging such as an x-ray or CT scan will be obtained to evaluate the extent of injury to the nose but most times the injury can be adequately assessed by a simple physical exam.
If you suspect you have broken your nose it is important to be evaluated by an ENT doctor in a timely manner. Left untreated, a nasal fracture can leave you with a permanently crooked nose. If addressed within 1-2 weeks of the injury the fracture can usually be corrected in the office under local anesthesia. If left untreated for more than 2 weeks, the fracture often needs to be corrected in the operating room.
