A nasal fracture is a break of the nose. Broken noses are extremely common facial injuries, thanks to the fact that the nose projects from the face, and consequently tends to get in the way of things like flying fists. People can incur nasal fractures in falls, sports events, and fights, and it is usually readily apparent when someone's nose is broken. Depending on the severity of the fracture, a broken nose may heal on its own, or it may require medical intervention.
Both bone and cartilage are present in the nose, and both can be involved in a nasal fracture. Typically, when someone's nose is broken, it is bloodied, and it may appear out of position or distorted. Swelling usually onsets very rapidly, and the patient may experience considerable pain. Some patients feel a grating or gritty sensation in the nose. In some cases, a break can lead to immediate difficulty breathing or to other complications.
There are several concerns with a broken nose. One is a deviated septum or a blood clot in the septum, which can cause complications. In addition, sometimes people experience leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the nose after a nasal fracture; if someone with a broken nose starts to leak clear fluid from the nose, this can be a sign of a complication. In addition, a broken nose can heal poorly, causing distress because it may be aesthetically unappealing, or leading to breathing problems in the future because of the distortion in shape.
The immediate treatment for a nasal fracture is ice to bring down the swelling, along with medications for pain management such as aspirin. The patient's head should be kept elevated, and the patient should be checked for signs of concussion and other complications which can occur as a result of head trauma.
If someone with a nasal fracture starts to have trouble breathing or demonstrates an altered level of consciousness or other neurological signs like confusion, slurred speech, or erratic behavior, it is time to go to the emergency room. It can also be advisable to make an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat specialist within a few days of the break so that the nose can be examined. If the break is severe, it may require surgery or other measures. A reconstructive plastic surgeon can also be involved in deciding whether or not surgery will be needed to correct the appearance of the nose after a fracture.