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A broken nose can be a painful and distressing experience, especially when it affects not only your breathing but also your facial appearance. Whether caused by a sports injury, a fall, or an accident, nasal fractures are common and often involve both the bones and cartilage of the nose. In some cases, surgery such as rhinoplasty or septoplasty may be needed to restore both function and aesthetic balance.
In this guide, we’ll explain what happens when you break your nose, how to recognise the signs of cartilage damage, and the surgical options available to repair and reshape your nose after injury.
A broken nose, also known as a nasal fracture, occurs when one or more of the bones in the nose crack or break under force. In many cases, the injury also impacts the nasal cartilage — the flexible but vital tissue that helps shape and support the nose’s structure.
Because the nose is one of the most prominent features of the face, it is especially vulnerable to trauma. Nasal fractures can happen during a variety of incidents, such as:
Depending on the severity of the trauma, the damage can range from a minor crack in the nasal bone to a displaced or collapsed nose involving both the bones and cartilage. In more severe injuries, the nasal septum — the structure dividing the two nostrils — may also be fractured or deviated, which can significantly affect both appearance and breathing function.
Recognising a broken nose isn’t always straightforward, especially during the first few days after the injury when swelling and bruising are at their worst. However, several signs can suggest a fracture has occurred:
Cartilage injuries are particularly important to identify because they do not heal as reliably as bone fractures. If left untreated, cartilage damage can lead to long-term breathing problems, visible deformities, and the need for more complex surgical correction later.
If your nose appears crooked, breathing is impaired, or there is significant swelling that doesn’t improve within a few days, it’s important to seek specialist evaluation. Early assessment can make a significant difference in the treatment options available, especially when surgical intervention like rhinoplasty is being considered.
When a broken nose causes significant deformity, breathing problems, or cartilage damage, surgical treatment may be necessary. In general, there are two main surgical approaches depending on the severity and timing of the injury: closed reduction and rhinoplasty.
If the nasal bones are simply displaced but not shattered, a closed reduction may be performed. This is a non-invasive procedure where a surgeon manually realigns the bones without making any incisions. Ideally, this is done within 7 to 10 days after the injury, before the bones start to heal incorrectly. In milder cases, closed reduction can restore both the appearance and function of the nose without the need for formal surgery.
In cases where the nasal bones are severely fractured, the cartilage is damaged, or the nose has healed incorrectly after an untreated break, a rhinoplasty is usually recommended.
Rhinoplasty for a broken nose is not purely cosmetic; it combines functional reconstruction with aesthetic reshaping to restore symmetry, breathing ability, and facial harmony.
Depending on the complexity, the surgeon may choose either:
If the injury has caused a deviated or fractured nasal septum, a septoplasty may be performed alongside rhinoplasty. This procedure straightens and repairs the septum to open up the nasal airways and restore proper breathing.
While minor fractures should ideally be corrected within a week or two, more complex rhinoplasty procedures are often delayed for several weeks after the injury. This allows swelling to subside and tissues to stabilise, giving the surgeon a clearer surgical field and a better long-term outcome.
Undergoing rhinoplasty for a broken nose is a carefully planned and highly individualised procedure. The main goals are to:
The surgical process typically involves:
In trauma-related rhinoplasty, the surgeon’s focus is not just cosmetic but functional — achieving a nose that looks natural and supports normal breathing.
Patients are advised to avoid strenuous exercise, contact sports, heavy lifting, and any situation where the nose might be bumped for at least 6 weeks after surgery. Sleep with the head elevated to reduce swelling during the early recovery period.
While rhinoplasty is generally safe, potential risks include bleeding, infection, breathing difficulties, minor asymmetries, or the need for a revision procedure. Working with a highly experienced surgeon significantly reduces the risk of complications and improves the likelihood of an excellent outcome.
With expert surgical care, most patients enjoy a major improvement in both appearance and breathing. A previously crooked or collapsed nose can be restored to a balanced, natural look that enhances facial harmony and restores confidence. Breathing through the nose also typically improves, especially if septal correction was part of the procedure.
In some cases, minor fractures where the bones are not displaced can heal without surgical intervention. However, if the nose appears crooked, breathing is impaired, or cartilage damage is suspected, medical or surgical correction is usually recommended to ensure the best functional and cosmetic result.
If the nose is visibly misaligned, surgery or manual realignment should ideally happen within 7–10 days of the injury. After this period, the bones begin to heal in place, and corrective rhinoplasty is typically delayed for several weeks to allow swelling to subside before formal reconstruction.
Resetting (also called closed reduction) involves manually moving the nasal bones back into position shortly after the injury without cutting the skin. Rhinoplasty is a more involved surgical procedure that reshapes the nose, repairs damaged cartilage, and improves both function and appearance. Rhinoplasty is often needed if the break was severe or if the injury was left untreated.
Insurance may cover part or all of the surgical costs if the procedure is deemed medically necessary — for example, to correct breathing problems or significant deformity caused by trauma. Purely cosmetic enhancements, however, are typically not covered. Always check with your provider and surgeon about what aspects of treatment are eligible for coverage.
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