Broken Nose

Diagnosis of a Broken Nose

• Your healthcare professional may press gently on your nose and surrounding areas to check for pain, swelling, or broken bones.

• They may look inside your nose for blockages or other signs of injury.

• Numbing medicine may be applied for comfort during the exam.

• X-rays are usually not needed, but a CT scan may be ordered for serious injuries or if a full exam isn’t possible.

Treatment

Minor fractures

• If the nose isn’t crooked or misshapen, you may not need medical treatment.

• Using ice to reduce swelling and taking over-the-counter pain medicine is often sufficient.

Manual realignment (Reduction)

• Needed if the bones or cartilage are shifted.

• Should be done within 14 days of the injury, sooner is better.

• Numbing medicine is given for comfort.

• Bones and cartilage are gently moved back into place, sometimes with special tools.

Splinting

• Your nose may be splinted to maintain position during healing. Options include:

  • Packing inside the nose

  • External dressing or splint

  • Internal splint (temporarily)

• Packing typically stays for about 1 week, and the external dressing may remain up to 2 weeks.

• Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection.

Surgery

• Required for serious, multiple, or untreated breaks (beyond 14 days).

• Surgery can realign bones and reshape the nose if needed.

• If the nasal septum is damaged, surgery may reconstruct the septum to improve breathing and correct damage.