Types of Nasal Bone Fracture
Also called a broken nose, a nasal bone fracture occurs when you bump into a hard surface or get into an accident that severely hits your nose. The fracture can occur over the bridge of the nose or in the septum (the bone that separates your nostrils). For nasal bone fracture repair in Navi Mumbai, see an ENT specialist immediately. Luckily, nasal bone fractures can be treated and healed if you take prompt action. Here are some common types of nasal bone fractures.
Types of Nasal Bone Fractures
1) Simple Fractures:
Small accidents that cause a minor crack in the bone can lead to simple fractures. This means the bone might crack a little but won’t move out of its place. You might experience moderate pain, swelling, and bruising, but it’s highly unlikely that a simple fracture will change your nose shape.
2) Comminuted Fractures:
It’s a more severe type, which involves the bone breaking into multiple pieces due to a serious accident. Symptoms include a nose deformity, difficulty breathing, and heavy swelling.
3) Depressed Fractures:
You can get depressed bone fractures if you get hit in the face during sports, falls, or accidents. It causes the bone to be pushed inward, creating a flattened nose. The most obvious symptom is the flat nose, which may occur with nosebleed, swelling, and breathing difficulty.
4) Displaced Fractures:
In a displaced fracture, the bone might break and move out of place, causing symptoms like difficulty breathing, heavy bruising, and a crooked or bent nose.
Symptoms of Nasal Bone Fracture
Symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the fracture. Here’s what you might experience:
- Pain and tenderness on the affected site
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Difficulty breathing
- Nosebleed
- Changed nose shape
An ENT surgeon in Navi Mumbai will evaluate your nose for deformity, breathing issues, and a crunching sound to detect a fracture. Imaging tests, like CT scan and X-ray, are recommended for severe cases that involve your sinuses or skull.
Treatment of Nasal Bone Fracture
For minor fractures, you can feel better with painkillers and basic home remedies like keeping your head elevated and following the RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) method. In some cases, an ENT specialist can push the bone back to its original place manually. If there was a severe break, a surgical intervention might be necessary. A surgery to reshape your nose (rhinoplasty) or fix the deviated septum (septoplasty) is performed to fix the broken nasal bone.
Recovery and Aftercare
If you had a mild fracture, expect quick recovery, possibly within 3-4 weeks. You will be advised to rest and avoid touching your nose or engaging in any activity that could cause further injury. For comminuted or depressed fractures, recovery may take longer, specifically if surgery was performed to correct the nose’s shape.
Minor nasal bone fractures aren’t an emergency, but it’s best to seek medical care just to be on the safe side. Your doctor will assess the level of damage and recommend a treatment accordingly. If left untreated, nasal bone fracture can lead to complications like permanent nose deformity, breathing issues, and frequent sinus infections.
