What Is a Broken Nose?
A broken nose, also known as a nasal fracture, is a common injury characterized by a break in the bone or cartilage of the nose. It can result from trauma or accidents. A broken nose often affects how your nose looks and can also impact your breathing. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for optimal recovery and appearance. Consult with Dr. Rizk, NYC’s top rhinoplasty surgeon to learn more about how he can improve the look and function of your broken nose.
What Are the Main Symptoms?
A broken nose can present several noticeable symptoms. Here are some common signs and symptoms of a broken nose:
- You may feel localized pain around the nose that may worsen with movement
- Swelling and discoloration may appear around your nose and eyes
- You may experience bleeding from the nostrils, sometimes in significant amounts
- Breathing might feel obstructed, and you may notice difficulty inhaling through your nose
- Your nose may look visibly crooked or misshapen, indicating a possible fracture
What Causes a Broken Nose?
A broken nose can be caused by various types of trauma:
Falls
Accidental falls are a common source of nasal fractures, especially in active individuals or the elderly.
Sports Injuries
Contact sports, such as football, basketball, or hockey, often result in facial injuries, including broken noses.
Physical Altercations
Fights or physical confrontations can lead to direct trauma to the face, resulting in a nasal fracture.
Car Accidents
Automobile accidents can cause significant force to the face, leading to broken noses and other facial injuries.
Long-term Solutions for a Broken Nose
For long-term correction of a broken nose, surgical intervention like rhinoplasty or septoplasty is often the most effective solution.
A minor fracture or hairline nose fracture may heal with conservative management, but more severe cases like a bilateral nose fracture often require procedures like rhinoplasty to reshape the entire nose. It is a comprehensive solution, ensuring both the cosmetic and functional aspects of the nose are improved.
Another option is nose fracture reduction, a type of manual realignment where the doctor gently presses the bones back into place, typically using local anesthesia for comfort. However, surgery may be necessary if the fracture has displaced cartilage or bone.
Broken Nose Before & After Gallery
See how Dr. Rizk’s broken nose expertise restores symmetry and clear breathing in our before-and-after gallery.
*Results may vary.
Schedule Your ConsultationDr. Rizk, Double Board-Certified Surgeon: Expertise You Can Trust
With more than 25 years of double board-certified experience, Dr. Sam Rizk has performed thousands of nasal procedures with a complication rate under 1%. Recognized as a Top Plastic Surgeon in 2024 by Castle Connolly, Dr. Rizk combines artistry with medical expertise to deliver outstanding results. He uses advanced 3D endoscopic techniques to ensure comfort, clarity, and long-term results before, during, and after surgery.
- AAAASF-accredited facility equipped with 3D, high-definition endoscopic technology
- Concierge aftercare provides a 24/7 nurse line and real-time photo reviews to track healing
Internationally invited lecturer who trains surgeons worldwide in advanced facial plastic techniques
Awards & Certifications
2.jpg)
What to Expect? Our Process to Fix Broken Noses
Initial Consultation
During your broken nose NYC consultation, Dr. Rizk analyzes every angle of your nose with high-resolution 3D imaging. He evaluates breathing, symmetry, and fracture patterns, then explains findings so you can understand your case better. Together you decide on manual reduction or full rhinoplasty, each plan designed to restore both form and function while reflecting your personal aesthetic goals.
Treatment Preparation
Before the procedure, Dr. Rizk’s team reviews medicines, health history, and lifestyle factors to help you achieve the best possible outcome. You receive clear, written instructions on diet changes, smoking cessation, and which supplements to pause, ensuring you arrive optimized to minimize risks and enhance healing for your broken nose surgery. Whether your procedure is planned or an emergency, every step is managed with meticulous care. This focus on personalized preparation ensures you are in the safest hands, paving the way for the most successful and predictable results when fixing a broken nose.
Treatment Expectations
On treatment day you are greeted in a private, hospital-accredited suite where Dr. Rizk works with a dedicated anesthesia team. He combines surgical precision with an artistic eye, whether performing a gentle manual realignment or a complex rhinoplasty, his endoscopic instruments limit incisions and bruising. For a manual realignment, Dr. Rizk typically uses local anesthesia, ensuring a gentle correction, and for a more complex broken nose surgery like rhinoplasty, general anesthesia is administered for total comfort and safety. His advanced techniques are designed to not only correct the damage but also to refine the appearance, ensuring the results of your broken nose procedure are both functionally sound and aesthetically pleasing.
Recovery and Aftercare
Dr. Rizk’s commitment extends far beyond the operating room. Recovery begins with a custom-fitted splint and a 24-hour contact line to Dr. Rizk’s nursing staff. Detailed guides show you how to cleanse, sleep elevated, and avoid strenuous activity. Swelling falls sharply within one week; most clients return to work by day seven. Regular follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor your healing, demonstrating a dedication to achieving the perfect long-term solution for your broken nose in NYC and ensuring your complete satisfaction.
Find Out if You’re a Good Candidate for Broken Nose Surgery
The best candidates for a broken nose procedure are individuals seeking to correct both the appearance and function of their nose after an injury. Dr. Rizk evaluates structural damage, nasal function, and aesthetic goals to confirm whether a surgery is appropriate for you. You may be a candidate if you have:
- Visible nasal misalignment or crooked nose after injury
- Difficulty breathing or chronic congestion following fracture
- Painful deviation that affects sleep or exercise
- Fracture older than 7-10 days needing revision surgery
- Patients seeking long-term solutions for a broken nose rather than temporary fixes
Schedule an NYC Rhinoplasty Consultation & Start Your Journey
Ready to discuss long-term solutions of a broken nose? Contact Dr. Rizk today to book your consultation with Dr. Rizk, New York’s elite rhinoplasty specialist, and take the first step toward recovery.
Related Conditions
Deviated Septum
A deviated septum occurs when the cartilage and bone dividing the nasal cavity is displaced, often causing breathing difficulties. It can be a common result of nasal trauma, and surgical intervention may be needed to correct it.
Crooked Nose
Untreated trauma can leave the nasal bridge crooked, disrupting facial harmony and breathing. Dr. Rizk’s precision rhinoplasty reshapes bone and cartilage to straighten the profile, clear airflow, and deliver a lasting, symmetrical result.
Wide Nose
A wide nose may result from genetics or injury. Patients seeking a more refined appearance can explore options like rhinoplasty, which can reshape the nasal structures for a more balanced facial aesthetic.
Still Have Questions?
Want to learn more about conditions affecting the nose? Read our FAQs.
Read Our Blog for More Tips
Interested to Know If You’re a Candidate? Reach Out Now
Contact Dr. Rizk’s NYC office for a personalized assessment and expert care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a broken nose take to heal?
Depending on the treatment, a fractured nose typically takes 3 to 6 weeks to heal. It is important to keep the area clean and protected to avoid infection and ensure proper healing. You should also avoid blowing your nose or engaging in strenuous activity that may cause further damage while the nose is healing.
What are the long-term symptoms of a broken nose?
Long-term symptoms of a nasal fracture may include a deviated septum, trouble breathing, or an altered appearance of the nose.
How do you tell if a nose is broken or bruised?
You can tell if a nose is broken or bruised by feeling for tenderness, swelling, and deformity. Any injury to the face should be examined by a medical professional to be sure.
How do you know if a nose injury is serious?
Seek medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing, nasal discharge (blood or clear fluid), intense pain that does not subside after two days, significant swelling, or a change in vision following a facial injury.
Will a broken nose heal on its own?
Depending on the severity of the injury and individual response to treatment, a nasal fracture may require medical intervention and/or surgery, but in some cases will heal on its own with rest and conservative management.
Can I Get a Nose Job After a Broken Nose?
Yes, you can get a nose job after a broken nose, and in many cases, it’s recommended if the fracture has caused cosmetic deformities or breathing issues. A rhinoplasty procedure can help restore both the appearance and function of the nose by reshaping the nasal bones and cartilage that may have been displaced or damaged by the injury. Dr. Rizk specializes in addressing post-trauma nasal concerns, ensuring that the nose not only looks natural but also functions properly, improving airflow and overall facial harmony.
What are the possible complications of a nasal fracture?
While most nasal fractures are relatively benign, certain complications can arise if left untreated. These include cosmetic deformities, such as a crooked or misshapen nose, and functional issues like nasal obstruction. More serious complications may involve a septal hematoma (a collection of blood within the nasal septum), septal abscess, or even avascular necrosis of the septal cartilage, which can lead to a saddle nose deformity. In rare cases, a fracture of the cribriform plate may occur, leading to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhoea, where fluid leaks from the nose.
What results can I expect after a broken nose treatment?
The results of Dr. Rizk’s treatments for nose fractures are both functional and aesthetic. Whether through manual realignment or surgical correction, patients can expect significant improvements in breathing and nasal appearance.
What Are the Different Types of Nose Fractures and How Are They Treated?
Several different types of nasal fractures can occur, each varying in severity and treatment approach. A minor nose fracture involves small cracks or breaks in the nasal bones and typically results in mild symptoms such as swelling or tenderness. These fractures often heal with rest and monitoring, though manual realignment may sometimes be needed.
A hairline nose fracture is another type of minor fracture, characterized by a small crack in the bone that doesn’t cause significant displacement. Hairline fractures generally heal without surgery but should be monitored to ensure proper healing.
A bilateral nose fracture, on the other hand, affects both sides of the nose and is often more severe. This type of fracture can lead to deformity or breathing issues, and surgical intervention, such as rhinoplasty, may be required to realign the bones and restore both appearance and function.
Dr. Rizk in the Media
Dr. Rizk was voted by his peers as a Top Doctor in 2025 – For the 21th consecutive year!
Connolly Best Doctor
Dr. Rizk featured in Town & Country Magazine as one of the masters of the subtle lift and tweak that will turn back time
Voted by peers to New York Magazine's 2013 Top Doctors
New Advances in Facelifting Techniques by Dr. Sam Rizk
By Dr. Sam S. Rizk, M.D., FACS.
Dr. Rizk is a double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty surgery and is a recognized expert on the latest advances in facial plastic surgery techniques. He performs a range of facial plastic surgeries at his New York practice.