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A broken nose can be both painful and worrying. Because the nose sits at the centre of the face and plays a key role in breathing, even a small fracture can have a big impact on confidence and day-to-day comfort. Injuries may come from sport, a fall, an accident, or an unexpected blow, and can affect the nasal bones, the cartilage, or both.
In many cases a broken nose will settle with simple measures, but if the nose has become crooked, collapsed, or breathing is noticeably harder, 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.
Not every broken nose needs surgery, but crooked alignment, breathing problems, or suspected cartilage damage usually require specialist assessment and possible intervention.
Timing matters: minor displaced fractures are often reset (closed reduction) within 7–10 days, while more complex rhinoplasty is usually delayed until swelling has settled.
Cartilage and septum injuries are critical to identify because they can cause long-term breathing issues and visible deformity if left untreated.
Post-traumatic rhinoplasty can correct old or badly healed fractures, straightening the nose, repairing cartilage, and improving both appearance and airflow.
Recovery is gradual: most people feel presentable within 2–3 weeks, but subtle refinement and final shape can take up to 9–12 months, especially when grafts are used.
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.
It can be tempting to “wait and see” after a nose injury, but early assessment often leads to better outcomes. You should seek urgent medical attention if you experience:
Heavy or uncontrolled nosebleeds
Clear fluid leaking from the nose
A visibly crooked or collapsed nose immediately after the injury
Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils
Severe pain, vision changes, or loss of consciousness at the time of impact
Even if your symptoms seem mild, it’s wise to see a specialist if swelling and bruising haven’t started to settle after a few days, or if your nose still looks different once the initial swelling goes down. A facial plastic or ENT surgeon can confirm whether the bones or cartilage are fractured and advise on the best timing for any treatment.
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.
Treatment depends on how severe the fracture is. Minor breaks that don’t change the shape of the nose may only need ice, pain relief, and monitoring, while displaced fractures usually require specialist assessment and either a manual reset (closed reduction) or surgery to restore alignment and breathing.
A broken nose is more likely if your nose looks crooked, you hear or feel a crunching sensation, have persistent nosebleeds, or find it hard to breathe through one side. Bruising and swelling alone don’t always mean a fracture, so if you’re unsure it’s safest to be examined by a specialist.
No. Small, non-displaced fractures can sometimes heal without surgery. However, if the nose is visibly out of position, breathing is affected, or cartilage damage is suspected, some form of reduction or rhinoplasty is usually recommended.
You should be assessed as soon as possible, ideally within the first few days. If the bones need to be reset, this is usually done within 7–10 days of the injury; more complex rhinoplasty is often delayed for several weeks to let swelling settle.
Yes. Post-traumatic rhinoplasty is specifically designed to correct noses that have healed crooked, collapsed, or blocked after an earlier injury. The surgeon repositions bones, repairs or grafts cartilage, and straightens the septum to improve both appearance and breathing.
Most people feel presentable again within 2–3 weeks, but swelling and refinement continue for several months. Full healing and the final nasal shape can take up to 9–12 months, especially if cartilage grafts were used.
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