Bumped Nose After Rhinoplasty and a Crooked Nose From an Accident
A nose that has had rhinoplasty often has a different structure from a nose that has not had surgery. Implants such as silicone or your own cartilage change the internal structure. This matters when the nose is hit in an accident, such as:
- sports injuries
- road accidents, car crashes or falls
- everyday knocks, such as walking into a door or falling onto the floor
- fights, being punched or being assaulted
- being hit by a pet, such as a large dog
The Nose Can Easily Lose Its Shape for These Reasons
- the implant moves out of its original position
- the nasal bone cracks or breaks, injuring the bone that supports the implant
- the cartilage is bruised, inflamed or damaged
- scar tissue from surgery pulls unevenly
Warning Signs After an Accident
See a Doctor Within 24 to 48 Hours If You Have Any of These
- swelling, redness, warmth or heavy bleeding from the nose
- being unable to breathe through one or both sides of the nose
- clear fluid running from the nose (this may be cerebrospinal fluid)
- a severe headache, nausea or vomiting
- a nose that is clearly bent to one side and out of shape
- a collection of blood inside the nose, with the nose swelling from the inside
Watch for Changes Over 1 to 2 Weeks
- the nose slowly becoming more and more crooked to one side
- feeling or seeing that the implant is no longer in its original position
- one side of the nose feeling blocked, making breathing difficult
- an asymmetrical nose when seen from the front
How to Correct a Nose Made Crooked by an Accident
Initial treatment straight after the accident is within 7 to 14 days. If the nose is crooked because the bone has moved, the surgeon can set the bone back in place without surgery and fit a nasal splint for 1 to 2 weeks.
Treatment without surgery costs less and has a shorter recovery than surgery.
It suits cases where the bone has moved, but not cases where the implant has moved.
Revision Rhinoplasty
- moving the implant back into place, where the surgeon opens the original incision or makes a new small incision, moves the implant back to the correct position and stitches it in place more firmly than before
- replacing the implant, if the original implant is damaged or cannot be moved back, by removing it and using a new implant sized and shaped to fit the nose
- repairing the nose structure and adjusting the implant, where the surgeon decides based on the damage, such as:
- adding your own cartilage to build a supporting base
- straightening the septum
- repositioning the implant completely
When to See a Doctor
| Time after the accident | What to do | Reason |
| 0 to 7 days | Treat the wound, rest and assess the symptoms | To let the swelling go down and stop the bleeding |
| 7 to 14 days | The surgeon may assess treatment without surgery and move the implant back into place | This is a period when adjustment is still possible |
| 2 weeks to 3 months | Monitor the symptoms | To wait for the swelling to go down and the wound to soften |
| 3 to 6 months | The surgeon considers revision rhinoplasty with the open technique | This is a suitable time for revision rhinoplasty, as inflamed tissue has settled (if it has not settled, the surgeon may misjudge the nose structure). Internal scar tissue has softened, making surgery easier and lowering the risk of heavy bleeding, the nose shape has settled and immunity is back to normal. The exception is a collection of blood in the nose, a severe infection or being unable to breathe, when the surgeon considers surgery straight away. |
| 6 to 12 months | Surgery is still possible, but it is more complex and difficult | The wound has hardened and scar tissue may be thick |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Surgery If My Nose Is Slightly Crooked?
If the nose is only slightly crooked, does not affect your breathing and does not bother you, there is no need to rush into surgery. Monitor it for 3 to 6 months first, because it may sometimes look better on its own once the swelling goes down. But if the nose is clearly crooked, affects your confidence or makes breathing difficult, have a consultation with a doctor.
Will My Nose Be Symmetrical Again After Corrective Surgery?
Revision rhinoplasty aims to improve the nose, but whether it becomes symmetrical and balanced with the face depends on several factors, such as:
- scarring
- tissue contraction
- the surgeon’s experience
S45 Clinic also treats complex cases.
How Long Is the Recovery After Revision Rhinoplasty?
- initial swelling goes down within 2 to 4 weeks
- the result is clear within 3 to 6 months
- full healing within 12 to 18 months
How Much Does Revision Rhinoplasty Cost?
It depends on how complex the surgery is in each case.
Is It Dangerous Not to Correct the Nose After an Accident?
It depends on how severe it is. For example, if the nose is slightly crooked and you breathe normally, or the implant has moved slightly without inflammation, you may be able to watch for changes over 3 months. But if you have difficulty breathing, snore more, get repeated infections or pus, the implant shows through the skin, or pain does not go away, see a doctor quickly and have revision rhinoplasty as soon as possible.
If an Accident Makes My Nose Crooked, Can I Have Revision Rhinoplasty and Augmentation at the Same Time?
Yes, but the more surgeries you have, the thinner the nose tissue becomes and the more scar tissue forms, making the next surgery harder and riskier. Surgeons usually advise against having surgery more than 3 times unless it is truly necessary.
Problems from an accident after rhinoplasty can often be corrected, so try not to worry too much. Have a consultation with a doctor straight away if you have a serious accident and notice anything unusual. The surgeon usually recommends revision rhinoplasty 3 to 6 months after the accident. In summary:
- if your nose is hit in an accident, see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours
- if you notice your nose changing shape after rhinoplasty, book a consultation with a doctor as soon as possible
Do not wait for symptoms to get worse. The sooner it is treated, the easier it is to correct.
