Broken noses, also called nasal fractures, account for approximately 40% to 50% of facial fractures.
Whether you tripped over a log during your weekend hike along the Jordan River Trail, slammed into another person when turning the corner or simply enjoyed a too-rough game of football, you’ve likely encountered a hard blow to the face at some point. While many people escape such incidents with nothing more than a little embarrassment, others may suffer from a broken nose.
How To Tell if Your Nose Is Broken
While they are often linked to physical altercations, sports, car accidents and falls, a nasal fracture can happen anytime your nose is struck with sufficient force. Symptoms of a broken nose may include:
- Pain and tenderness
- A crackling or crunching sound when touching the nose
- Bleeding or fluid drainage
- A crooked nose
- Swelling around the nose
- Bruising around the eyes and nose
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
If you notice symptoms of a broken nose after facial trauma, visit your healthcare provider promptly. They will conduct a physical exam and x-ray to determine the extent of your nasal injury. Let’s take a look at a few treatment options your ENT provider might recommend.
Ice and Fluid Draining
Applying ice can reduce swelling and alleviate symptoms. Pain relievers may also be recommended to reduce swelling. In cases of severe trauma, your nose may develop a septal hematoma—a blood pool in the septum. In these cases, your provider will drain the hematoma to prevent perforation or tissue death.
Realignment
If your nasal fracture causes a crooked nose, your provider will manually realign the bones and cartilage, typically under local anesthesia, though general anesthesia might be necessary based on age and injury severity.
Surgery
Severe fractures might need surgery. This can involve septoplasty to repair the septum or rhinoplasty to reshape the nose and remove obstructions.
A broken nose can be scary to deal with, but with our ENT providers, you can rest assured knowing your fracture is in expert hands. Contact South Valley Ear Nose & Throat – West Jordan today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.