Did you know that injuries to the face and head account for up to 7% of all emergency department (ED) visits? Or that the nose is the most common location of facial trauma?
Fortunately, many nasal injuries aren’t severe enough to require surgical intervention. However, there are some cases wherein surgeons may recommend rhinoplasty.
We’ll discuss the most common types of nasal injuries that a “nose job” can correct below, so be sure to read on.
Nasal Trauma Caused by Accidents
Traffic accidents and falls are some of the top causes of facial injuries. Nasal bone fractures, in turn, are the most prevalent type of facial trauma.
A nasal bone fracture can be a form of a break in the nose bridge’s bone or cartilage. It can also occur in the septum, the structure dividing the nostrils.
Either way, severe nose fractures can cause blood to collect in the nose. If not drained right away, the pooled blood can result in an abscess or a permanent deformity. That can cause nasal tissues to die, ultimately leading to a collapsed nose.
For those reasons, it’s vital to seek medical help as soon as possible following a nose injury.
If you’ve had a nose injury and failed to get it treated right away, though, it may have led to your nose looking deformed. In that case, a nose job can help correct the deformity. Here’s a guide where you can learn more about rhinoplasty and how it can address the impact of nasal trauma.
Birth Injuries
Birth injuries are physical injuries sustained during childbirth or labor. Doctors refer to birth injuries in babies as neonatal birth trauma. It can affect any body part of an infant, including the nose.
An example of a neonatal birth injury is a nasal septal deformity or deviation. It’s not that common, with estimates putting its incidence rate at 1.9% to 4% of all newborns. Still, such trauma can cause an affected baby’s nose to become crooked or deformed.
Many cases of slight septal deviations don’t cause symptoms. However, they may start causing problems in late childhood or adulthood.
In severe cases, the deviated septum may cause a blockage on one side of the nose. That can then result in reduced airflow, leading to breathing difficulties.
Fortunately, a rhinoplasty surgeon can correct nasal septal deformities. That includes a deviated septum caused by birth trauma or accidental injuries.
Saddle Nose Deformity
Saddle nose deformities are often a complication of nasal trauma. In many cases, it occurs when the blood supply to the septum stops because of swelling caused by a nose injury. Without enough nutrients from the blood, the cartilage between the nostrils can die.
In any case, a saddle nose deformity causes the bridge of the nose to collapse. That can result in a nose that looks much like a pug’s or a boxer’s.
The good news is that rhinoplasty can also correct saddle nose deformities. The goal of the surgery is to add height to the collapsed bridge.
Rhinoplasty Isn’t Only for Cosmetic Reasons
As you can see, rhinoplasty doesn’t only improve cosmetic flaws. It can also address complications caused by nasal injuries. So, if you’ve had a previous nose injury and want to fix it, consider getting a corrective nose job.
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