There are many reasons you may consider rhinoplasty, and not all are cosmetic. Sometimes, the decision comes following current or past nose trauma. In fact, “Glee” star Dianna Agron admitted to David Letterman that she had undergone nose surgery after breaking her nose—not once but twice—when she was younger.
If you have broken or injured your nose, you may need nose surgery to repair the damage, or you may not. Whatever the treatment and outcome.
Definition & Symptoms
While most of us know what a broken nose is, many do not realize how common this injury is. Argon referenced two instances in her childhood that resulted in a broken nose—once after a punch to the face (not meant for her) and another after an on-stage collision.
Typical symptoms of a broken nose are a nosebleed, bruising around the eyes and/or black eyes, tenderness, crunching/cracking when touched, visible deformity, and difficulty breathing through the nose as a result of swelling and/or other blockage.
Treatment
Although many broken noses can be treated at home, medical intervention is sometimes necessary. If, for example, pain and other symptoms do not improve after a few days, it is recommended that you see a doctor to assess the damage. If the septum is intact and there are no external cuts needing stitches, your doctor will provide you with instructions on how to best manage the pain and swelling.
Because of possible complications, it is important not to wait too long to seek treatment if symptoms persist. If, however, you have a fever, a nosebleed that won’t stop, open wound, headache or neck pain, vision problems, concussion symptoms, visible swelling of the septum, or clear fluid dripping from the nose, the NHS recommends you go immediately to your nearest A&E department.
A crooked nose will typically be treated in the hospital, but resetting is not done until after all swelling has gone down—typically a few weeks following the injury.
Consulting a Surgeon
After a broken nose, a consultation with a specialist is sometimes necessary due to long-term, lingering medical problems arising from the damage or as a matter of cosmetic preference. Sometimes the nose, once broken, even when set appropriately, doesn’t return to normal—whether it be aesthetically or functionally. These lingering effects are obvious as time passes, making it imperative that you wait 6 months or longer before seeking corrective surgery.
Consulting a trained rhinoplasty surgeon will help you to determine the best course of action to correct any problems and address any concerns. If you have suffered a broken nose or trauma to the nose and are considering nose surgery to correct resulting medical or cosmetic issues, contact us today for a consultation.