Broken Nose

A broken nose (nasal fracture) is when you break or crack bones or damage cartilage in your nose. It’s a common facial fracture. You should get medical care right away if you think you have a broken nose. Prompt treatment may help you avoid permanent damage to your nose.

Symptoms of a broken nose

Broken nose symptoms may include:

• Bruising around your eyes and nose
• Crackling or crunching sound when you touch your nose
• Crooked nose
• Difficulty breathing through your nose
• Drainage from your nose
• Pain and tenderness
• Nasal obstruction (feeling as though something is stuck in your nose)
• Nosebleeds
• Swelling around your nose

Broken nose causes

A broken nose is a type of blunt force trauma. This is an injury that happens if you’re hit hard by something or someone, or injured in a fall. You may break your nose if you’re:

• In a motor vehicle accident
• Hit during a physical fight
• Hurt while playing sports

Complications of a broken nose

A broken nose may cause a septal hematoma. A septal hematoma is blood pooling in your septum. Your septum is the cartilage and bone that separates your nostrils. A septal hematoma can lead to serious issues like:

• A hole (perforation) in your septum
• Saddle nose, which happens if the bridge of your nose collapses
• Tissue in your nose starting to die (necrosis)

How doctors diagnose a broken nose

A healthcare provider will do a physical examination. They’ll gently press around the bridge of your nose. They’ll examine the inside of your nose for signs of an obstruction. A provider may do imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans if they think you may have other facial injuries.

How is a broken nose treated?

Treatments range from putting ice on your broken nose to having surgery to repair it. The treatment that’s right for you depends on the severity of your injuries.

Ice or pain relievers

Taking over-the-counter pain relievers (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen) can help with pain. Applying ice packs can help ease swelling and other broken nose symptoms.

Draining a septal hematoma

A healthcare provider may decide to drain your septum within 24 hours after your injury. Draining it reduces the risk of serious complications.

Manual realignment

An injury can knock your nasal bones and cartilage out of place (alignment). Your healthcare provider will gently push your bones and cartilage back into place. They may wait a few days to do a manual alignment procedure. The procedure involves the following steps:

1. Your provider will numb your nose with local anesthesia. In some cases, you may receive general anesthesia if you have severe injuries.
2. They’ll move your bones and cartilage back where they belong.
3. They may place gauze packing inside your nose and a dressing on the outside of your nose.
4. They’ll place a temporary splint on your nose.
5. Your provider may give you antibiotics to prevent infection.

You’ll be able to remove the packing and dressing in about two weeks.

Surgery

You may need surgery if you have a severely broken nose, or you can’t breathe through your nose. Surgeries to fix your broken nose include:

• Septoplasty. This procedure reshapes your septum. During septoplasty, a surgeon may remove parts of your bone and cartilage, then reshape and reposition the underlying structures. This repairs any holes or perforations and improves breathing.
• Rhinoplasty. During this procedure, a surgeon creates a new nose shape and removes obstructions. They’ll reduce or rearrange the underlying bone and cartilage.

How long does it take to heal a broken nose?

That depends on your situation. In general, a broken nose heals within six to eight weeks. Your healthcare provider or surgeon will explain how long it’ll take you to recover.

Can a broken nose be prevented?

No, but you can reduce your risk of breaking your nose by:

• Being aware of your surroundings to lower your risk of falls
• Wearing protective headgear if you play contact sports

What can I expect if I have a broken nose?

You may not need anything other than ice and painkillers to treat a broken nose. But you could need treatment or surgery if you have a severe fracture, or your nose is broken in more than one place. That said, you should seek medical care if you think you have a broken nose. Getting treatment right away can reduce your risk of complications.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

If you have a broken nose, you may want to ask your healthcare provider questions like:

• What are my injuries?
• What are my treatment options?
• When will my swelling go down?
• How long will it take for my nose to heal?
• What activities should I avoid while my nose heals?

When should I see my healthcare provider?

You should contact your provider if:

• Your nose still hurts and/or is swollen several weeks after treatment
• You can’t breathe through your nose

You should go to the emergency room if:

• Your nose starts to bleed or keeps on bleeding after your follow-up treatment
• Your nose starts to drain clear, watery fluid that’s not mucus
• You develop a severe headache

How do I sleep with a broken nose?

Swelling from a broken nose can interrupt a good night’s sleep. You can reduce swelling and get more rest by propping your head and shoulders on a stack of pillows. Taking a decongestant may help.