Nasal Fracture Follow-up

  • Author: Samuel J Haraldson, MD; Chief Editor: Craig C Young, MD   more...
 
Updated: Dec 13, 2011
 

Return to Play

Uncomplicated nondisplaced fractures should not prevent a patient who participates in noncontact sports from returning to play in 2 weeks. In healthy adults, fracture healing occurs in approximately 3 weeks. Athletes involved in contact sports should have adequate head and face protection for several weeks when returning to play.

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Complications

See Treatment, Acute Phase, Medical Issues/Complications.

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Prevention

Nasal fractures in sports can be prevented with the use of helmets that have adequate face protection.

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Prognosis

Most nondisplaced nasal fractures heal without cosmetic or functional deformity. Both open and closed reduction techniques produce a high rate of refractory cosmetic deformity, manifested by septal deviations. Many patients eventually require nasal-septal rhinoplasty.

See also the Cosmetic Surgery section in eMedicine's Otolaryngology & Facial Plastic Surgery book.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Samuel J Haraldson, MD  Team Physician, Director of Sports Medicine, Medical Director of Athletic Training Education Program, Adjunct Clinical Professor, Department of Kinesiology, Texas Christian University

Samuel J Haraldson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Andrew L Sherman, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine, Vice Chairman, Chief of Spine and Musculoskeletal Services, Program Director, SCI Fellowship and PMR Residency Programs, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Miami, Leonard A Miller School of Medicine

Andrew L Sherman, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Medical Association, and Association of Academic Physiatrists

Disclosure: Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Henry T Goitz, MD  Academic Chair and Associate Director, Detroit Medical Center Sports Medicine Institute; Director, Education, Research, and Injury Prevention Center; Co-Director, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship

Henry T Goitz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jon B Whitehurst, MD  Clinical Instructor of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine; Partner, Rockford Orthopedic Associates; Orthopedic Chairman, Rockford Memorial Hospital

Jon B Whitehurst, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Craig C Young, MD  Professor, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Community and Family Medicine, Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Director of Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin

Craig C Young, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors Russell L. Reinbolt, MD and Robert D. Welch, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

  1. Cavalcanti AL, Melo TR. Facial and oral injuries in Brazilian children aged 5-17 years: 5-year review. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. Jun 2008;9(2):102-4. [Medline].

  2. Kim MG, Kim BK, Park JL, et al. The use of bioabsorbable plate fixation for nasal fractures under local anaesthesia through open lacerations. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. Jun 2008;61(6):696-9. [Medline].

  3. Erdmann D, Follmar KE, Debruijn M, et al. A retrospective analysis of facial fracture etiologies. Ann Plast Surg. Apr 2008;60(4):398-403. [Medline].

  4. Cantrill SV. Facial trauma. In: Rosen P, ed. Emergency Medicine: Concepts in Clinical Practice. Vol 1. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby-Year Book; 1998:459.

  5. Smith JA. Nasal emergencies and sinusitis. In: Tintinalli JE, Ruiz E, Krome RL, eds. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 4th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Publishing; 1996:1087-91.

  6. Coto NP, Meira JB, E Dias RB, Driemeier L, de Oliveira Roveri G, Noritomi PY. Assessment of nose protector for sport activities: finite element analysis. Dent Traumatol. Jul 26 2011;[Medline].

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  8. Swenson DM, Yard EE, Collins CL, Fields SK, Comstock RD. Epidemiology of US high school sports-related fractures, 2005-2009. Clin J Sport Med. Jul 2010;20(4):293-9. [Medline].

  9. Hwang K, You SH, Lee HS. Outcome analysis of sports-related multiple facial fractures. J Craniofac Surg. May 2009;20(3):825-9. [Medline].

  10. Colton JJ, Beekhuis GJ. Management of nasal fractures. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. Feb 1986;19(1):73-85. [Medline].

  11. Rohrich RJ, Adams WP Jr. Nasal fracture management: minimizing secondary nasal deformities. Plast Reconstr Surg. Aug 2000;106(2):266-73. [Medline].

  12. Bremke M, Wiegand S, Sesterhenn AM, et al. Digital volume tomography in the diagnosis of nasal bone fractures. Rhinology. Jun 2009;47(2):126-31. [Medline].

  13. Bianco M, Sanna N, Bucari S, et al. Female boxing in Italy: 2002-2007 report. Br J Sports Med. Aug 19 2009;epub ahead of print. [Medline].

  14. Procacci P, Ferrari F, Bettini G, et al. Soccer-related facial fractures: postoperative management with facial protective shields. J Craniofac Surg. Jan 2009;20(1):15-20. [Medline].

  15. We J, Kim Y, Jung T, et al. Modified technique for endoscopic endonasal reduction of medial orbital wall fracture using a resorbable panel. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. Jul-Aug 2009;25(4):303-5. [Medline].

 
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Lateral radiographic view of a displaced nasal bone fracture in a patient who sustained this injury because of a punch to the face during a hockey game.
Lateral radiographic view of a nasal bone fracture in an elderly patient who fell forward on her face as a result of syncope. Marked comminution is present.
Lateral radiographic view of a minimally displaced nasal bone fracture.
 
 
 
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