Key Takeaways
- A nasal fracture, or broken nose, is a break of one of the nasal bones causing bleeding, swelling, bruising, and breathing difficulty.
- Common causes include assault, sports trauma, falls, and motor vehicle collisions, and it may be complicated by a septal hematoma.
- Nasal fractures account for about 40% of facial fractures and most commonly affect males in their 20s.
- Treatment typically uses pain medication and cold compresses, with reduction performed after swelling subsides if needed.
A nasal fracture, commonly referred to as a broken nose, is a fracture of one of the bones of the node. Symptoms may include bleeding, swelling, bruising, and an inability to breathe through the nose. They may be complicated by other facial fractures or a septal hematoma.
The most common causes include assault, trauma during sports, falls, and motor vehicle collisions. Diagnosis is typically based on the signs and symptoms and may occasionally be confirmed by plain x-ray.
Treatment is typically with pain medication and cold compresses reduction, if needed, can typically occur after the swelling has come down. Depending on the type of fracture reduction may be closed or open. Outcomes are generally good. Nasal fractures are common, comprising about 40% of facial fractures. Males in their 20s are most commonly affected.
