What does the French phenom and FIFA world champion, Kylian Mbappe, have in common with Hollywood comedic acting staple, Owen Wilson? They’ve both attracted media attention for their broken noses.
In Mr. Wilson’s case, his crooked nose became his signature, after breaking it twice during his youth—once during a high school fight, and the second time while playing flag football in college.
On the other hand, Mbappe broke his nose during an opening game at the Euro 2024 against Austria, after hitting an opponent’s shoulder following an aerial challenge.
What differs, though, is the fate of their noses: Owen Wilson would spend several decades sporting his famous crooked nose before undergoing a rhinoplasty to fix it, while Mbappe wore a face mask until it healed.
And their outcomes raise a question: When is rhinoplasty for a broken nose the recommended treatment?
When is Rhinoplasty for Broken Necessary?
The short answer is when a broken nose is severe. While doctors can treat mild and even moderate breaks with splints or casts, severe fractures typically require surgery because the damage sustained by the bone and cartilage is simply too great for the body to heal on its own. Also, these types of fractures tend to result in both cosmetic and functional problems, the latter of which can be very uncomfortable and somewhat traumatizing to the victim.
Signs a Broken Nose Needs Rhinoplasty
- The break is extensive or involves multiple fractures (as indicated by X-ray imaging).
- Manual realignment—treatment with a splint or cast—isn’t possible after 14 days.
- The fracture is so severe that the patient is significantly deformed and/or can’t breathe properly.
- Non-surgical efforts to improve airflow have failed.
And by way of a quick reminder, here’s a look at the symptoms of a broken nose:
- Mishappen or Crooked Appearance
- Severe pain, bruising, swelling
- Bleeding
- Breathing Difficulty/Deviated Septum
- Blocked Nasal Passages
- Note: Extreme headaches, dizziness, and loss of consciousness could be a sign of a concussion.
Pain alone is not necessarily an indicator of nose fracture severity, although bigger breaks tend to be more painful. That said, it’s crucial to not only manage and observe the level pain felt, but more importantly, how the nose looks and functions over the next coming days and weeks.
What happens during this period sets the tone for what type of treatment and care you will ultimately need, whether that’s basic pain management or an actual rhinoplasty. Ultimately, doctor’s visits and X-ray imaging will give you and your doctor a clear indication of whether rhinoplasty is necessary to fix a broken nose.
Timing Considerations for Broken Nose Treatment
In some cases, the extent of a broken nose is undeniable. It can be minor enough that a doctor will send you home with a splint, a prescription for extra-strength Tylenol.
Other cases are blatantly obvious and rhinoplasty for a broken nose is needed. If you’ve got a major break, the procedure is likely more of a “when” than an “if”.
Bear in mind that docs may play a bit of a “waiting game” to make a decision, especially if your case is somewhere in the middle. That means broken enough to need further observation but potentially manageable enough that you don’t need to go under the knife. Regardless, doctors will need to act sooner rather than later.
Time Window to Broken Nose
- Immediate—Get to the ER! Doctors will take X-ray images of the nose and evaluate you for complications such as septal hematomas. You will also receive pain medication, cold compresses to reduce swelling, and nasal packing to control bleeding (if persistent).
- Within 14 Days—Doctors will put a splint on the nose to prevent the bones from further shifting out of place. This must happen within 14 days of the injury to prevent the nasal bones from setting in their altered position.
- After 14 Days—You will be reassessed for your progress. If the nasal bones are realigning, then you probably won’t need a rhinoplasty. You will keep the splint on until your nose is healed. If, however, the nose or septum is still deviated and your breathing is impaired, your doctor will refer you to a rhinoplasty surgeon.
- 3-6 Months—If the nose hasn’t realigned in a splint after the initial 14-day period, you’ll need surgery. However, from this point onward, you must wait 3-6 months before undergoing rhinoplasty to allow the bones to set (at least enough that they’re stable) and for swelling to subside.
After this initial healing period ends, candidates for rhinoplasty for a broken nose will then actually have the procedure done on them.
Rhinoplasty for Broken Nose: Goals & Expectations
The two main goals of rhinoplasty when treating a broken nose are cosmetic and functional.
On the cosmetic front, the goal is to restore proper alignment and symmetry. Surgeons will aim to bring the nose as close to its former shape as possible, ensuring that it creates harmony with your face.
On the functional side of things, the mission is to ensure you can breathe without obstruction. That usually means fixing a deviated septum and/or damaged nasal passages.
Surgical Approaches
- Open rhinoplasty—This approach allows for greater precision and visibility through an external incision. It’s ideal for complex cases where doctors have to make extensive corrections.
- Closed rhinoplasty—For simpler cases, closed rhinoplasty is the preferred method, especially since it allows for faster healing and no visible scarring.
- Septorhinoplasty—For cases of a broken nose involving a deviated septum, a doctor will likely perform a septorhinoplasty to correct it. This procedure helps restore normal breathing in addition to correcting nasal crookedness.
Recovery Timeline of Rhinoplasty for Broken Nose
- Initial Phase—1-2 weeks after surgery, patients will have their splint removed (usually after 7-10 days). Also, bruising and swelling should resolve during this period.
- Extended Recovery—6-8 weeks after the surgery, patients should avoid contact sports. Also, it’s important to keep the head elevated and avoid putting pressure on the nose during this period of time.
Rare Complications of Rhinoplasty for Broken Nose
- Infections
- Recurrent deformity
- Persistent bruising/swelling
- Persistent bleeding
- Breathing obstruction
Straightening Things Out
We need to bring back Owen Wilson and Kylian Mbappe back real quick. Aside from highlighting the human vulnerability of these two superstars, the outcome of their breaking their noses demonstrates the importance of taking the right steps.
Owen sustained severe injuries from his schoolyard squabble and gridiron shakeups. The consensus seems to point out that he didn’t get rhinoplasty for his broken nose—not during the initial aftermath or for years after. This likely led to his nose adopting its eventual, trademarked shape he would be known for. In the years to come, he would undergo septoplasty to correct his deviated septum, a likely attempt to resolve impaired breathing. We want to reiterate that his nose didn’t take away from his appearance, but perhaps, a rhinoplasty soon afterwards could have restored his nasal shape.
Mbappe, on the other hand, didn’t sustain injuries severe enough to warrant surgery. Nevertheless, the response from the French squad’s medical team was prompt—they assessed him immediately and likely conducted evaluations and imaging that cleared him of needing it. He would go on to wear the mask that in a way became a trademark for him too, at least for one summer. But the lesson is clear: immediate assessment of a broken nose, even if not seemingly serious, can restore your looks and well-being.
If you’re dealing with an asymmetrical nose or deviated septum, don’t wait or continue to live in discomfort. Dr. Richard Rival is a renowned rhinoplasty surgeon who brings years of expertise and success, helping people like you breathe easier and smile again when facing the mirror. Get in touch with us to begin your rhinoplasty journey today!