The nasal bones are the most commonly fractured facial bones due to the central location and prominence of the nose.  Nasal fractures can be diagnosed by physical examination alone. Sometimes a nasal XRay may be helpful when the exam is equivocal. Nondisplaced nasal fractures often require no intervention, while displaced nasal fractures can result in nasal obstruction and a crooked nose. Displaced nasal fractures can be reduced back to their original anatomical position. This procedure can be performed under local anesthesia or with moderate sedation, at the patient’s preference. A nasal reduction is ideally performed between 1 to 3 weeks, when the swelling from this injury has subsided but the nasal bones have not yet healed in their displaced positions.

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