Crooked nose bones, need surgery and treatment or not?

Get to know crooked nose bones

Nasal congestion is a condition that occurs when your nasal septum (the wall that divides your nasal cavity in half) slides considerably from the midline.

The nasal septum is a wall made of cartilage and connective tissue that separates the nasal passages. The nasal passages are lined on both sides with mucous membranes.

When the nasal septum is very tilted to one side, as a result, one nostril becomes larger than the other. Your breathing may also be disturbed in one of the narrower nostrils.

Because of this, nasal congestion can lead to reduced airflow and risk of breathing problems. This depends on how narrow one nostril is. Misaligned septum can also interfere with nasal drainage, leading to increased infection rates and postnasal drip.

Treatment options to treat crooked nasal bones

If the symptoms of crooked nasal bones are not problematic or mild, then no special treatment is needed. In this condition, several over-the-counter and prescription treatment options are available.

Commonly recommended treatments for crooked nasal bones include:

steroid sprays to reduce inflammation
nose dilator
decongestants
saline solution
antihistamines

People with bothersome symptoms should also reduce their exposure to irritants such as allergens, which increase the likelihood of experiencing or worsening symptoms.

Meanwhile, in cases of severe crooked nasal bones, a surgical procedure is required, namely a septoplasty. How does this work?

Septoplasty surgery to treat crooked nasal bones

If your symptoms do not improve with the treatments mentioned above, your doctor may recommend a reconstructive surgery called a septoplasty.

To undergo a septoplasty procedure, you must avoid taking medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen for two weeks before and after surgery. The reason is, these drugs can increase the risk of bleeding. You also have to stop smoking, because it can interfere with the healing process.

Septoplasty surgery takes about one to two hours and uses general or local anesthesia. Depending on the surgeon and your condition, this anesthesia is administered.

During the procedure, the surgeon will cut the septum and remove excess cartilage or bone, to straighten your septum and nasal passages.

Silicone splints can be inserted into each nostril to support the septum. Then the incision is closed with stitches.

You will be monitored immediately after surgery for risks of complications, and you will likely be able to go home the same day.

Septoplasty is generally a safe procedure for most people who can be under anesthesia. However, like any medical procedure, there are still risks that need to be aware of. The risks of this procedure include: