Nose Fracture
(Broken Nose)
Definition
A nose fracture is a break in the bones of the nose.
Facial Bones
Causes
A broken nose is caused by a blunt, hard blow to the nose. It often occurs along with injuries to other parts of the nose and face.
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease, condition, or injury. Risk factors for a nose fracture include:
- Previous nose fracture or nose injury
- Participating in sports (especially contact sports)
- Reckless behavior during recreational activities or driving
- Failure to wear a seatbelt (but airbags can also sometimes cause injury)
Symptoms
Symptoms of a broken nose include:
- Pain in the nose or surrounding area of the face
- Swelling of the nose or surrounding area of the face
- Bleeding from the nose (often heavy)
- Difficulty breathing through the nose or nostril
- Discoloration of the nose
- Black eyes
- Crooked or misshapen appearance of the nose (may not appear until swelling subsides)
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and how the injury occurred, and will examine your nose and face for:
- Irregularities in the shape
- Movement of the bones of the nose and face
- Rough sensation when your nose is moved
- Pain or tenderness to touch
- Injury to the nasal septum (especially hematoma)
- Any fluid from the nose (such as blood or even cerebrospinal fluid in severe cases)
Tests may include:
Treatment
Treatment includes:
Ice
Apply ice or a cold pack to your nose for 15 to 20 minutes, several times a day for several days. This helps reduce pain and swelling. Wrap the ice or cold pack in a towel. Do not apply the ice directly to your skin.
Medication
The following drugs help reduce inflammation and pain:
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
- Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Aspirin
Setting the Bones
The doctor may:
- Drain any blood that may have collected in the septum
-
Set the fracture by:
- Moving the bone back to its normal position
- Stabilizing the bone with gauze packing on the inside and a splint or tape on the outside
Surgery
Surgery may be needed to set the fracture if:
- The fracture is severe
- The nose is severely misshapen
- The fracture impairs breathing
If you are diagnosed with a nose fracture, follow your doctor's instructions .
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
http://www.cosmeticsurgery.org
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.aafp.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Family Physician
http://www.cfpc.ca/cfp/
The Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons
http://www.plasticsurgery.ca/
References:
American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://www.aafp.org .
Haraldson SJ. Nasal Fracture. EMedicine website. Available at: http://www.emedicine.com/sports/topic84.htm . Accessed Jan 13, 2008.
The Merck Manual of Medical Information—Home Edition . Simon and Schuster; 2000.
National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/ .
Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 6th Editon. Philadelphia; Mosby Elsevier; 2006.
Rother T. Riechelmann H. Gronau S. Secondarily accelerated foreign bodies as a source of danger from airbag deployment. HNO . 2006;54(12):967-70.
Last reviewed November 2008 by John C. Keel, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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