What happens after a nasal fracture or broken nose?

The nose is made up of bone and cartilage. When one fractures or breaks their nose, either or both of the bony and cartilaginous components of the nose may be deviated.  In the initial period of several weeks, a closed nasal reduction may be performed to straighten the nose.  Additionally, the septum may be deviated following a nasal fracture.  Ultimately, over a period of time patients may elect to have a functional rhinoplasty to improved their breathing or a rhinoplasty to straighten or change the appearance of the nose if their breathing has changed following their trauma or their nose appears different following the nasal trauma.