Double Board Certified · Facial Trauma
Broken Nose — evaluate early; the timing changes the options.
Nasal fractures are the most common facial fracture. Most are reducible if evaluated in time; understanding the fracture pattern and the internal anatomy in the first two weeks gives the best chance of a definitive single operation.
ABFPRS
Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
ABOto
Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery
AAFPRS
Fellowship Director
In Consultation
"The most common question after a nasal injury is whether to wait. The honest answer is to be evaluated quickly — then to decide carefully."
A Note from Dr. Mourad
"Nasal fractures are the most common facial fracture. Most are reducible if evaluated in time; understanding the fracture pattern and the internal anatomy in the first two weeks gives the best chance of a definitive single operation."
— Dr. Moustafa Mourad, MD
Overview
What is a broken nose (nasal fracture)?
A broken nose is a fracture of one or more of the bones or cartilages that form the nasal pyramid — typically the paired nasal bones, the frontal process of the maxilla, and/or the cartilaginous septum. It is the most common facial fracture and usually follows a direct blow during sport, a fall, an assault, or a motor-vehicle collision.
Acutely, a fractured nose may cause visible deformity, swelling, bruising, nasal obstruction, and bleeding. Some fractures also injure the septum and create a septal hematoma — a blood collection between the cartilage and its lining that requires urgent drainage to avoid permanent cartilage loss.
Most nasal fractures can be evaluated by examination; imaging is reserved for cases with suspected additional facial injuries. Treatment depends on whether the bones have shifted, whether there is functional obstruction, and how soon after the injury the patient is seen.
An Established Academic Authority
Double board certification. Fellowship director. Published author. A surgeon's surgeon.
ABFPRS
Board Certified
American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
ABOto
Board Certified
American Board of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery
AAFPRS
Fellowship Director
American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Textbook
Published Author
Contributions to the academic literature of facial plastic surgery
Dual board certification in both Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology — a combination held by a small number of physicians nationally.
02 · Symptoms
How this condition typically presents.
Three patterns are most common. Patients often recognise themselves in one or more of these.
I
Visible Deformity
A clear change in the shape of the nose after injury — a deviation, a depression, or a widening of the bridge.
II
Persistent Obstruction
One- or two-sided difficulty breathing after the injury that does not resolve as swelling subsides.
III
Bruising & Pain
Periorbital bruising, tenderness over the nasal bones, and crepitus on gentle examination.
03 · Diagnosis
How the diagnosis is made.
Diagnosis begins with a careful history — when symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, and what has been tried.
Examination includes anterior rhinoscopy and, where appropriate, nasal endoscopy with a small flexible scope to visualise the deeper nasal cavity and sinus outflow tracts.
Imaging — typically a focused sinus CT — is obtained when the examination and history warrant it, and is reviewed in detail at the visit.
04 · Treatment Options
Treatments matched to the diagnosis.
Treatment is individual. The right answer ranges from continued medical therapy to a focused minimally-invasive procedure to definitive structural surgery.
01 · Why Dr. Mourad
Diagnosis first, treatment second.
Dr. Moustafa Mourad is double board-certified in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and in Otolaryngology — a combination uniquely suited to evaluating both the structural and the medical components of nasal and sinus disease.
Every evaluation begins with a careful history, examination, and — where indicated — endoscopy and imaging. The diagnosis is made before any treatment plan is discussed.
Medical therapy is exhausted before surgery is recommended. When surgery is the right answer, the operation is the one your anatomy and disease actually require.
When to Seek Care
When to seek care promptly.
Severe facial pain, high fever, or visual changes — these warrant urgent evaluation.
Significant facial swelling or redness around the eye — evaluate immediately.
New or worsening obstruction after a recent injury — evaluate within days.
Persistent symptoms beyond a few weeks despite over-the-counter measures — a careful evaluation is reasonable.
Outlook
What to expect.
When the diagnosis is correct and the right treatment is applied, the outlook is generally good. Many patients describe meaningful improvement in sleep, exercise tolerance, and day-to-day energy.
When symptoms persist despite treatment, the workup is re-opened. Persistent symptoms with no answer almost always mean the diagnosis is incomplete.
Living Well
Day-to-day measures that help.
Daily saline irrigation, control of indoor allergens, and good sleep hygiene meaningfully reduce day-to-day symptoms for most patients.
Medical therapy, when prescribed, works best when used consistently rather than as needed — this is one of the most common reasons treatment seems to fail.
Frequently Asked
Patient questions, honestly answered.
Common signs include new crookedness, persistent one‑sided nasal blockage, bruising, and a palpable step or instability along the bony bridge. Some patients notice crepitus or an audible crunch with gentle palpation. Early swelling can obscure deformity for 48–72 hours, so reassessment after initial edema subsides is important. A focused clinical exam, including intranasal inspection, determines whether further treatment or imaging is needed.
The Most Important Step
Get an expert evaluation.
A careful evaluation by a double board-certified physician is the right first step. The conversation is unhurried, the diagnosis is honest, and treatment is matched to what you actually have.