Some people may have minor damage that causes a slight saddle nose concavity on the bridge that may remain the same for many years. More severe or ongoing damage to the septal cartilage increases the likelihood that the nasal bridge will worsen over time.
Saddle nose deformity changes the appearance of your nose. But it can also cause breathing issues that may interfere with everyday life. Left untreated, saddle nose can worsen over time. Other names for saddle nose deformity include boxer's nose and pug nose.
After defining the three stages of saddle nose: minimal, moderate and major, the authors describe the treatment protocol adopted for each stage.
Saddle nose deformities are typically reconstructed with cartilage grafts; however, conchal cartilage grafts are and associated with a risk of damage to the posterior auricular ligament and insufficient amounts, and costal cartilage grafts require invasive surgery under general anesthesia.
A saddle nose deformity can significantly impact your self-confidence about your appearance. Minor deformities can be treated without surgery if you are an ideal candidate. During this treatment, facial fillers are injected to help restore lost volume and height with the nasal bridge.
Minimal saddle nose corresponds to a depression above the supratip of the nose due to loss of septal support associated with slight retraction of the base of the columella, while tip projection and rotation are not affected (Fig. 1).
Saddle nose is a condition associated with nasal trauma, congenital syphilis, relapsing polychondritis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, cocaine abuse, and leprosy, among other conditions. The most common cause is nasal trauma. It is characterized by a loss of height of the nose, because of the collapse of the bridge.
After saddle nose repair, you will need to take two weeks off work to rest and recover. Even if you feel better after a few days, going back to work too soon can cause complications to occur. This can prolong your recovery period and cost you more in lost wages while away from work.
What are the symptoms of nasal valve collapse? The symptoms of a collapse are the same as those seen in many other conditions, such as chronic sinusitis or the common cold. These symptoms include congestion, nasal obstruction and difficulty breathing through the nose.
What symptoms might accompany a saddle nose deformity? In most cases, patients will experience facial pain, recurrent epistaxis, episodic anosmia, nasal purulence, and nasal crusting.
A saddle-nose deformity is most visibly characterized by a loss of nasal dorsal height. This deformity has also been described as a pug nose or boxer's nose, both of which refer to various degrees of nasal dorsal depression.
Saddle nose is sometimes congenital, in particular with genetic disorders such as ectodermal dysplasia, chronic infantile neurological cutaneous and articular syndrome caused by NLRP3 mutation.
One of the risks and complications from septoplasty is damage to the septum or cartilage in the nose. A perforated septum, septal hematoma or infection can be complications of septoplasty, causing a weakened nasal structure that can lead to a bridge collapse.
So, while many complain their noses have gotten larger with age, this is not the case. Instead, the illusion of a more prominent nose results from drooping over time. This stretching and sagging could also give the appearance of a bump on the nose bridge.
A collapsed nasal valve prevents air from flowing freely through your nose, making breathing harder. Your nose may look thinner or sunken where your nasal valve has narrowed. A nasal valve collapse isn't always visible.
What Causes Nasal Valve Collapse? There are several different causes that include nasal trauma, prior nasal surgery (especially rhinoplasty) and congenitally weak nasal cartilages. Typically, the most common cause is a rhinoplasty, although it can also be caused by continued inflammation or scar tissue.
Everybody is different. Some individuals may notice an improvement straightaway. Some individuals may notice an improvement over a period of time – perhaps as long as two years or more. Unfortunately, there are some individuals that may find the feeling in their saddle area does not improve fully or at all.
Every patient bruises and swells differently. On cast removal day, some patients look like they could go our for dinner that night – with no signs of having had surgery. Some patients have really swollen noses and bruising below the eyes.
Following surgery, most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort that can be controlled with medication. However, the first part of the recovery period can be somewhat awkward at work and in social settings due to possible bruising under the eyes and the use of a splint.
However, using nasal sprays excessively and repeatedly over time can cause the cartilage in your nose to deteriorate, leaving you with a saddle nose deformity. If this has happened to you, expert New York City facial plastic surgeon Dr. Maurice Khosh can help.
To note, insurance companies do not typically cover rhinoplasty. However, if the procedure aims to correct breathing or functional issues, insurance companies may cover a portion of the saddle nose repair. Before surgery, you should speak with your insurance provider to determine if you're eligible for coverage.
Inhaling Drugs, Chemicals or Nasal Sprays
Over or misuse of steroid or OTC nasal sprays can create cartilage damage in the septum. Inhaling certain chemicals, powders or fumes in the workplace without nasal protection can also damage the septum cartilage and cause a perforation.