Facial Fracture? Don't be afraid, let's be aware of this!

Imagine that you are playing cricket with your friends and a ball comes flying and hits you in the face, or you fall off your bike... After a while, your face turns blue, is very swollen, and hurts so much that you can't even touch it. At a time like this, you are very afraid that this is just a bruise or a bone has broken inside, right? This is actually something that happens to many people. That's what we are going to talk about in this article very simply in this article.

What are these facial fractures?

Simply put, a facial fracture is a break or fracture of a bone in your face. We also call this condition ``Maxillofacial trauma''. Did you know that when compared to the bones in other parts of our body, for example, a leg bone, the bones in our face are a little thinner and more delicate. Therefore, even a minor accident can damage these bones.

There are several main reasons why accidents like this happen.

• Physical assault: Sadly, facial fractures are common in fights and assaults.
• Vehicle accidents: There is a high risk of facial injuries, especially in three-wheeler and motorcycle accidents, which are common in our country.
• Falls: This condition can occur if you hit your face, whether it's from a fall from a height or a normal fall.
• Sports accidents: Accidents that occur while playing sports like cricket and rugby.
• Workplace accidents: In fields like construction, accidents can occur when something falls on your face from above.

The most common types of facial fractures

Since there are several bones in the face, fractures can be divided into several types depending on where they occur. Let's see what they are.

Do you also have these characteristics?

The symptoms of a facial fracture can vary depending on where the injury occurred. However, there are some common symptoms as well as those specific to each location.

Common symptoms

• Bruising and blueing: Blue discoloration of the skin around the site of the accident.
• Swelling: Swelling of the affected area of ​​the face.
• Pain: Feeling of unbearable or severe pain.
• Numbness: A feeling as if part of the face is numb.
• Facial shape changes: The face loses symmetry, sinks in on one side, or takes on a different shape.

If the nose is broken (Nasal Fracture)

• Difficulty breathing through the nose.
• Nosebleed.
• Change in the shape of the nose, drooping.

If the eye socket is broken (Orbital Fracture)

• Blurred vision.
• Double vision.
• Eyes protruding or sinking in.
• Difficulty moving the eyes up, down, and to the sides.

If the jaw is broken (Jaw Fracture)

• Salivation.
• Difficulty chewing food or speaking.
• Feeling severe pain when opening the mouth.
• Loose, broken, or falling teeth.

Will this just heal? Or could there be complications?

This is not just a problem that affects your appearance. A facial fracture can also interfere with your normal activities. Imagine how difficult it is for someone with a broken jaw to eat and talk? Someone with a broken nose cannot breathe properly.

Even more dangerous complications can occur.

• Infections: Germs can enter through broken bones and cause infections.
• Internal bleeding: Bleeding can occur internally.
• Nervous system damage: Sometimes, especially in severe fractures of the skull, the important fluid surrounding the brain (cerebrospinal fluid - CSF) can leak out of the nose. This is a very dangerous condition that requires emergency treatment.

Therefore, it is very important to see a doctor immediately if you have an accident to your face.

How does the doctor diagnose this? (Diagnosis)

When you see a doctor, he or she will first check to see if your life is in danger. For example, if you are having trouble breathing or are bleeding heavily. Then he or she will check for the following:

• They check your nose and airway for any obstructions.
• The function of the eyes and vision are checked.
• They are checking to see if there is any damage to the brain or spinal cord (Central nervous system).
• You will be asked about the details of how the accident happened and your symptoms.
• We carefully observe your facial shape to see if there is any change or asymmetry.
• The extent of the damage is assessed by carefully palpating the facial bones.

After this initial examination, the doctor will often refer you for an imaging test to confirm the fracture and determine its severity. The most commonly used and most accurate test for this is the Computed Tomography (CT) scan .

What are the treatments?

Treatment depends on the nature of the injury you have, the location of the broken bone, and its severity.

First, your doctor will give you painkillers and medications to reduce swelling, such as corticosteroids. If there is a risk of infection , antibiotics may also be prescribed.

The main treatment method consists of two parts:

1. Reduction (bone reconstruction): This involves putting broken and displaced bone fragments back into their correct positions, much like putting pieces of a broken pottery back together.

2. Fixation: The process of holding the properly aligned bone in place until it heals. This may involve surgery and the use of small plates, screws, or wires.

These two methods, `Reduction` and `Fixation`, can be done in two main ways:

• Closed Reduction: This is a surgical procedure that involves realigning the bones from the outside without cutting the skin. This can only be done for simple, uncomplicated fractures.
• Open Reduction: In this, the area is opened surgically, the bone fragments are carefully aligned, and then fixed with plates and screws. This method is essential for complex fractures.

If your face is severely damaged and several bones are broken, you may need to undergo facial reconstructive surgery . There are two main goals: One is to restore normal functions such as vision, eating, and breathing. The second goal is to restore your facial appearance as much as possible.

How long does it take to heal?

It's hard to give an exact time frame for this, as it varies from person to person. It depends on many factors, including the severity of your injury, the type of treatment you received, and your body's ability to heal.

Typically, the swelling and bruising after surgery will start to subside after about two weeks. However, it can take several months to fully heal. During this time, it is very important to follow your doctor's instructions, especially if you have a broken jaw, such as staying hydrated and eating soft foods.

Always see a doctor immediately!

This is the most important part of this article. When you have an accident on your face, don't just ignore it and say, "It's just a small thing." If you have any of the following symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.

How can you escape from such an accident?

Although accidents cannot be prevented 100% of the time, there are things we can do to reduce the risk.

• Wear a seat belt whenever you are in a vehicle.
• If you ride a motorcycle, be sure to wear a good quality helmet .
• If playing sports, properly wear the protective equipment (face mask, helmet) appropriate for that sport.
• If your job is dangerous, use the safety instructions and equipment provided by the organization exactly as they are.