What Causes a Broken Nose?

A broken nose is caused by a break in cartilage and/or break in a bone in the nose- often the bone over the bridge of the nose. Common causes include physical fights, falls, motor vehicle accidents, and contact sports which result in facial trauma. A broken nose will cause swelling, bruising, and pain around the nose and under the eyes. Other common symptoms of a broken nose include bleeding from the nose, bruising around the nose or eyes, difficulty breathing through the nose, and feeling that your nasal passages are blocked.

How to Treat a Broken Nose

Dr. Ehrmantraut will examine the nose and may order x-rays to be performed to diagnose your broken nose. In the case that your nose has been displaced, Dr. Ehrmantraut can manually realign the nose structures. This need to be done within 14 days of the fracture. Dr. Ehrmantraut will open the nostrils with a nasal speculum and use special instruments to realign the broken bones and cartilage in the nose. A splint will be placed on the nose, and nasal packing will be placed. Antibiotics will be given to prevent infection.

In the case of severe breaks, multiple breaks, or breaks that have gone untreated for more than 14 days, surgery may be required. Surgery will realign the bones, reshape the nose, and correct any nasal septum damage that has been done.

If you or a loved one has experienced a broken nose, contact our Maryland office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Dr. Ehmantraut will work with you to determine the best plan for treatment. We serve patients in the southern Maryland, Annapolis and Arlington, VA areas.