Facial Fracture
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 4, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
A facial fracture
is a break in one or more of the bones in your face. A facial fracture may also damage nearby tissue.
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:
- You suddenly feel lightheaded and short of breath.
- You have chest pain when you take a deep breath or cough.
- You cough up blood.
Seek care immediately if:
- You suddenly have trouble chewing or swallowing.
- You have clear or pinkish fluid draining from your nose or mouth.
- You have numbness in your face.
- You have worsening pain in your eye or face.
- You have double vision or sudden trouble seeing.
- Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
Call your doctor if:
- You are bleeding from a wound on your face.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Common signs and symptoms:
- Pain, swelling, or bruises
- Headache
- Tingling or numbness
- Swollen or flattened cheek
- Blurry vision, double vision, or seeing floaters (spots)
- Decreased eye movement or pain when you move your eyes
- Eyes that are sunken or not in the normal position, or swollen eyelids
Treatment
may not be needed if the broken bone stays in its normal position. You may need any of the following to treat a severe fracture:
- Closed reduction is a procedure to move your broken bones back to their normal positions by hand. Closed reduction is often done to fix a broken nose. You will not need an incision for this procedure.
- Endoscopy is a test that uses a scope to look inside your sinuses and eye socket. Small pieces of your broken bone may be removed. Devices may be placed to support the broken bones in your face.
- Medicines may be given to prevent or treat pain, swelling, or a bacterial infection.
- Orthodontic treatment may be used to fix damaged teeth. Orthodontic treatment may also be done if your teeth do not line up correctly when you close your jaw.
- Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is surgery to help keep the bones from moving while they heal. Wires, screws, or plates are used to join broken facial bones.
- Reconstructive surgery may be needed to fix damage areas of your face. Your healthcare provider may need to remove pieces of your broken facial bones and replace them with a graft. A graft is healthy bone taken from another area of your body or from a donor.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Nutrition:
You may not be able to eat solid food for a period of time. You may first be started on a liquid diet, starting with water, broth, gelatin, apple juice, or lemon-lime soda pop. After a few days, you may be allowed to eat soft foods, such as applesauce, bananas, cooked cereal, cottage cheese, pudding, and yogurt. Ask for more information about the type of foods you can eat.
Rehabilitation:
If you had surgery to fix your facial fracture, you may need oral and facial rehabilitation. This is done to restore normal use and movement of your facial muscles. Ask for more information about rehabilitation.
Self-care:
- Apply ice as directed. Ice helps decrease swelling and pain. Ice may also help prevent tissue damage. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover the bag with a towel before you place it on your skin. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed.
- Keep your head elevated. Keep your head above the level of your heart as often as you can. This will help decrease swelling and pain. Prop your upper body on pillows or blankets to keep your head elevated comfortably.
- Do not put pressure on your face:
- Do not sleep on the injured side of your face. Pressure may cause more damage.
- Sneeze with your mouth open to decrease pressure on your broken facial bones. Too much pressure from a sneeze may cause your broken bones to move and cause more damage.
- Try not to blow your nose. It may cause more damage if you have a fracture near your eye. The pressure from blowing your nose may pinch the nerve of your eye and cause permanent damage.
- Clean your mouth carefully. It may be hard to clean your teeth if have an injury or fracture near your mouth. Your healthcare provider will show you the best way to do this so you do not hurt yourself. A waterpik or a child-sized soft toothbrush may work well to clean your mouth.
Follow up with your doctor as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Learn more about Facial Fracture
Treatment options
- Medications for Head Injury
- Medications for Head Injury w/ Intracranial Hemorrhage and Loss of Consciousness
- Medications for Head Injury with Intracranial Hemorrhage
- Medications for Head Injury with Loss of Consciousness
Care guides
- Facial Fracture
- Facial Fracture in Children
- Jaw Fracture in Adults
- Jaw Fracture in Children
- Skull Fracture
- Skull Fracture in Children
Symptoms and treatments
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.