Issue 059
February 2010
What is it?
A broken nose refers to a fracture of the bony part of the nose, usually around the bridge of the nose. It’s likely to be painful and swollen, and you may also have bruising around the eye sockets, bleeding from the nose or difficulty breathing. Sometimes there may be a ‘grating’ sound or feeling on touching the nose. An open fracture occurs when the fractured bone breaks through the skin.
How it happens
From an impact to the nose, usually the result of a punch, kick, elbow, knee or accidental headbutt.
Who has it happened to?
Lots of fighters have had their nose broken at some point in their career. Rich Franklin’s nose was broken twice by Anderson Silva, and Shane Carwin had his smashed by Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 96.
What problems is it likely to cause?
When a fighter suffers a broken nose in a fight, he may suffer from difficulty in breathing and watering eyes that can interfere with his vision. If he ends up on his back the blood can also cause problems as it runs down the fighter’s throat, sometimes causing him to choke. The fight is likely to be stopped if the fighter is in obvious difficulty, or if the fracture is open (the bone has broken the skin).
In the longer term, a broken nose that isn’t properly realigned may be a weak spot in future fights. There may be damage to the nasal septum (the cartilage that separates one nostril from the other), or the fighter may suffer from frequent nosebleeds and / or difficulty in breathing.
Treatment
Suspected broken noses are rarely x-rayed, and in many cases the only treatment given will be ice to reduce the swelling (and painkillers if necessary). Sometimes it may be necessary to ‘reduce’ the fracture – in other words, to put the nose back into place. This is usually done several days after the injury once the initial swelling has had time to go down. In some cases, surgery may be required at a later date to realign the nose.
It’s advisable to seek medical advice following a suspected broken nose to rule out complications and other injuries to the head and face that may require immediate treatment. Trying to straighten a broken nose by yourself is not recommended, as it may cause further damage.
Seek medical help immediately if you have prolonged bleeding, any clear fluid draining from the nose, headaches, vomiting or visual disturbance.
How long can a fighter expect to be out for?
Recovery time varies depending on how severe the injury is, and the treatment given. It can range from 4–6 weeks for a small fracture to several months for a severe break that requires surgery. It is important to avoid sparring and contact to the face while the nose is healing.
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