Your nose sits prominently in the centre of the face, so it is easily injured during falls, sports, road traffic accidents, physical fights, physical impact or workplace trauma. In Singapore, the nose is among the most commonly fractured facial bones. A broken nose is a crack or break in the nasal bones, usually around the bridge of the nose.Â
A broken nose may affect the nasal bones, cartilage, nasal septum, or surrounding soft tissue. The septum is the thin wall inside the nose that separates the two nasal passages. When the nose bridge is broken, the outside of the nose may look crooked, flattened or swollen. Inside the nose, swelling or a deviated septum may make it harder to breathe through the nasal passages.
Not every nasal injury requires surgery. Most broken noses heal without realignment if the nose remains straight and the airflow is normal. However, an assessment is important because swelling can hide the deformity in the first few days. A septal haematoma, which is a collection of blood or a blood clot inside the nasal septum, must be treated urgently to prevent cartilage damage and long-term deformity.
A prompt review by an ENT specialist helps confirm whether the injury is mild, displaced, internally obstructed, or likely to affect appearance and airflow.
Broken nose symptoms commonly include:
Some patients notice that the nose looks bent to one side, also called a misshapen nose. Others cannot tell because swelling makes the nose look larger rather than clearly crooked. A nose bridge broken during trauma may also cause an internal injury or a cartilage fracture, even if the outer shape looks okay. In some cases, the nose has changed shape only on the inside.
The following symptoms require urgent medical attention. Red flag symptoms of a broken nose include heavy bleeding that does not stop, a severe headache, vomiting, fainting, double vision, clear watery fluid from the nose, severe facial pain, numbness, hearing loss, or one nostril that stays blocked.
You should see an ENT specialist after a nasal injury if the nose looks crooked, airflow is blocked, blood loss continues, or symptoms do not improve. Early assessment is important because the best time for realignment is limited. Seek treatment promptly.
Timing matters. Closed reduction, which is manual realignment, is usually considered within the first 7 to 14 days after injury, before the bones begin healing in the wrong position.
Tell your doctor or seek urgent care immediately if there is severe bleeding, a deep cut, suspected head injury, loss of consciousness, visual changes, including double vision, clear fluid leaking from the nose, or a soft swelling inside the nostril that may suggest a septal haematoma. Medical treatment may be needed without delay.
An ENT specialist review is also advised if swelling remains after a few days, if the nose appears out of shape as swelling settles, or if one side of the nose stays blocked. Children should be assessed promptly because an internal injury may be harder to judge.
Barrie Tan ENT Head & Neck Surgery provides comprehensive care for nasal fractures.
If you or a loved one has a broken nose, contact us today so that we can start working on a personalised treatment plan.
Diagnosis of a broken nose is usually based on the history and a careful examination of the outside and inside of the nose. Dr Barrie Tan will assess how it happened, whether the nose has changed shape, whether airflow is affected, and whether there are signs of septal damage.
The external nose is examined for tenderness, cuts, bruising, deformity and instability. The inside of the nose is checked for nosebleeds, blockage, a deviated septum, blood clots, mucosal damage, and a septal haematoma. A nasal speculum and local anaesthetic spray may be used to make the examination more comfortable.
X-rays are not always helpful for simple nasal fractures because treatment is guided more by appearance, airflow and examination findings. When ordered, X-rays can help rule out other facial fractures. A CT scan may be needed if there is a suspected complex facial trauma, eye socket damage, severe deformity, persistent clear nasal fluid, or concern about other facial fractures.
Broken nose treatment depends on whether the bones are displaced, whether breathing is affected and whether there are complications. If the nose is straight, breathing is normal, and there is no septal haematoma, treatment may be supportive.
In the first 24 to 48 hours, patients are usually advised to rest, keep their head elevated, apply cold compresses or an ice pack, and avoid pressure on the nose. An ice pack should be wrapped in a thin cloth before applying. Avoid nose blowing, heavy lifting, contact sports, strenuous exercise and alcohol while the risk of further nosebleeds remains.
If there is a nosebleed, sit upright, lean forward and pinch the soft part of the nose for 10 to 15 minutes to stop bleeding. Do not lean back, as this may cause blood to run into the throat.
Broken nose healing time varies. Bruising and swelling often improve over one to two weeks, while the nasal bones continue to strengthen over several weeks. Contact sports should usually be avoided until the nose is fully healed to reduce the risk of re-injury.
Contact us for more information about treatment for a broken nose or to book an appointment.
Realignment and surgery for a broken nose is needed when it is displaced, breathing is obstructed, the septum is affected, or the fracture has healed in an unfavourable position. The right procedure depends on timing and severity. Severe cases may require surgery.
A septoplasty may be needed when a deviated septum from injury causes chronic stuffiness or blockage. This procedure straightens the internal nasal partition to improve airflow.
Recovery depends on the procedure performed and the severity of the fracture. After a closed reduction, a nasal splint may be placed to support the bones while they settle. Swelling, bruising, mild bleeding and a nasal blockage are common for several days.
Broken nose surgery recovery time is usually shorter after a closed reduction than after a septoplasty or septorhinoplasty. Many patients return to light activities within a few days, but exercise, heavy lifting and contact sports must be avoided until cleared by the doctor. Patients who wear glasses may notice that their glasses no longer fit properly after their nose has changed shape.
Risks include bleeding, infection, persistent stuffiness, ongoing nasal blockage, changes in nasal shape, a reduced sense of smell, scarring, the need for further procedures, and anaesthetic risks. A septoplasty may also carry a small risk of septal perforation or persistent crusting. Careful assessment and timely treatment help reduce these risks. Discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Barrie Tan ENT Head & Neck Surgery can promptly assess a broken nose and guide your treatment before the critical realignment window closes. At Gleneagles Hospital in Singapore, Dr Barrie Tan examines both the external nasal shape and the internal nasal airway to determine whether observation, a closed reduction, septoplasty or reconstructive surgery is most appropriate.
The aim is to restore safe healing, nasal breathing and a natural nasal shape where possible. Patients receive clear advice on timing, recovery, activity restrictions and follow-up care.
If you suspect you have sustained a nasal fracture, it is critical to seek medical evaluation immediately to ensure proper healing and to take advantage of the critical 14-day window for non-surgical realignment. Contact Barrie Tan ENT for a consultation if you have nasal pain, swelling, deformity, bleeding, blocked nasal passages, or other symptoms after an injury.
MBBS, MRCS (Edinburgh), MMed (Otorhinolaryngology), FAMS
Dr Barrie Tan is an ENT specialist at Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore, with more than 20 years of clinical and surgical experience. He previously served as Head of ENT and Director of the Centre for Hearing and Ear Implants at Singapore General Hospital. The information provided is not intended as medical advice. More about our medical experts.
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