A broken nose is a fracture of the nasal bones or cartilage, usually from a knock during sport, a fall or an assault. Typical signs are pain, swelling, bruising, a nosebleed and a nose that looks crooked or feels blocked. Many breaks heal without intervention; if the nose is visibly bent once the swelling settles, it can often be realigned within the first couple of weeks, and a nose that heals out of shape can be corrected later with rhinoplasty.
Common signs of a broken nose
The nose is the most prominent part of the face and the nasal bones are thin, which is why they break more easily than other facial bones. After an injury you may notice:
- Pain and tenderness: especially when the bridge is touched.
- Swelling and bruising: often spreading to the area under the eyes within a day or two.
- Nosebleed: which usually stops with pressure within a few minutes.
- A change in shape: a bend, a step or a flattened bridge that was not there before.
- Blocked breathing: on one or both sides, sometimes with a crunching or grating feeling.
Early swelling can hide or exaggerate a deformity, so the true shape is often clearer after five to seven days.
When to seek urgent help
Most nasal injuries can be managed at home at first, but some need prompt assessment:
- Go to A&E: if a nosebleed will not stop after 15 to 20 minutes of firm pressure, if clear watery fluid runs from the nose after a head injury, or if there was loss of consciousness, vomiting, severe headache, blurred or double vision.
- Same-day assessment: if you notice a soft, painful swelling inside the nose that blocks one or both nostrils. This may be a septal haematoma, a collection of blood that needs draining to protect the cartilage.
- Call 999: if breathing is difficult or there are other serious injuries to the face or neck.
First aid at home
Sit upright and lean forward, pinch the soft part of the nose and breathe through your mouth to control bleeding. Apply a cold compress wrapped in a cloth for 10 to 20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling. Sleep with your head raised, avoid blowing your nose for several days and take simple pain relief as advised by a pharmacist. Avoid contact sport until the bones have healed, usually at least several weeks.
Early realignment (closed reduction)
If the nose remains visibly crooked once swelling has eased, the bones can often be gently manipulated back into position. This works best within about two weeks of the injury, before the bones begin to set, and is commonly arranged through an ear, nose and throat service via your GP or A&E. Not every fracture needs it: a break that has not changed the shape or breathing can simply be left to heal.
When the nose heals out of shape
Some people find months later that the nose is bent, has a bump on the bridge, looks flattened, or that breathing through one side is persistently worse. The septum, the central wall of cartilage and bone, is often deviated at the same time. Once the bones have fully healed, correction usually means a rhinoplasty, sometimes combined with a septoplasty (together called septorhinoplasty). Surgeons generally wait at least six months, and often longer, so that healing and swelling have fully settled.
What post-traumatic rhinoplasty involves
Mr Nassab will ask about the original injury, any previous treatment and your breathing, and will examine the inside and outside of the nose. Surgery may involve carefully repositioning or narrowing the nasal bones, smoothing a bump, straightening or supporting a twisted septum, and using cartilage grafts to restore support where it has been lost. Straightening a previously broken nose is often more complex than a primary cosmetic rhinoplasty, and some asymmetry may remain. The aim is a straighter, more balanced nose with improved airflow, rather than a completely different appearance. Surgery is for adults aged 18 and over.
Recovery and cost
A splint is usually worn for around a week. Bruising and swelling typically settle over two weeks, while subtle swelling can take many months to resolve. Risks include bleeding, infection, persistent asymmetry, breathing problems and the possibility of further surgery. Rhinoplasty costs from £8,950 and the £150 consultation fee is charged separately. See also our rhinoplasty cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you tell if a nose is broken or just bruised?
It can be hard to tell at first. A new bend, a step on the bridge or blocked breathing after the swelling settles suggests a fracture; if in doubt, see your GP or a minor injuries unit.
Do you need an X-ray for a broken nose?
Usually not. The diagnosis is normally made by examination, and X-rays add little unless other facial bones may be injured.
Can a broken nose heal on its own?
Yes. Many fractures heal well without treatment, typically over a few weeks. Treatment is needed if the shape or breathing has changed.
How long after breaking your nose should you wait for rhinoplasty?
Surgeons usually wait at least six months, so the bones have healed and swelling has settled.
Will a septoplasty improve my breathing?
If a deviated septum is blocking airflow, straightening it can improve breathing. Mr Nassab will assess this at consultation.
