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February 8, 2012
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Broken Nose
(Nasal Fracture)

Medical Author:
John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Broken Nose Facts

Medically reviewed by: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

  • A broken nose or nasal fracture is usually the result of external trauma.
  • The most common cause of a broken nose is fights. Sports injuries are the least common cause of a broken nose.
  • Symptoms of a broken nose include swelling, bruising, a black eye, nosebleeds, pain, tenderness when touching the nose, or deformity of the nose.
  • A broken nose can be diagnosed with X-rays, CT scan, or most commonly physical exam.
  • Treatment for a broken nose is generally with home care including OTC pain medication, ice, and rest.
  • More severe facial fractures that include a broken nose may require surgery.

Broken Nose Overview

A broken nose is any crack or fracture in the bony portion of the nose.

This is usually a result of external trauma. Blows to the face during altercations, vehicle accidents, falls, and sports injury are the most common reasons for a fractured nose.

Nasal fractures are often cited as the most common type of facial fracture, accounting for approximately half of all facial fractures in several studies.

Broken Nose Causes

Causes of a broken nose are related to trauma to the nose or face. Common sources of trauma include the following:

  • The most common cause of a broken nose are fights (34%), accidents (28%), and sports (23%). A 2009 study of 236 patients with facial fractures incurred while playing sports found fractures of the the nasal bone to be the most common.
  • Sports injury
  • Personal fights
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Falls
  • In children, nasal fractures are most commonly due to falls.

Broken Nose Pictures


Picture of the types of nasal fractures.

Picture of a Broken Nose

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Broken Nose Symptoms»
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Broken Nose - Symptoms

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Broken Nose

Facial Fracture »

Facial Fracture Overview

A fracture is a broken bone. Facial fracture refers to any injury that results in a broken bone or bones of the face.

Facial Fracture Causes

Many situations can cause facial fractures. Motor vehicle crashes, sporting injuries, falls, and assault account for the majority, although injuries from gunshot wounds and stabbings occur as well.

Always be concerned about other injuries with facial fractures. In particular, other parts of the body may be injured, for example, if you have facial injuries in a motor vehicle accident.

Facial Fracture Symptoms

  • Although certain symptoms are specific for the bone fractured, some symptoms are common to any fractured bone. But remember that these symptoms may indicate a soft tissue injury (without a broken bone).

    • Pain

    • Swelling

    • Bruising

  • B...


Read the Facial Fracture article »


Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Nasal and Septal Fractures »

Nasal fractures are the most common types of facial fractures; however, they are often unrecognized and untreated at the time of injury.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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