Facial Reconstruction via an Elbow 

29 Sep 2008

I was playing my first Sunday basketball in a few months (we usually stop playing over the summer). I shocked myself a bit, as I wasn't playing awful (not great, but not nearly as bad as I expected).

About 30 minutes into the game, went up for a rebound and then felt my head jerk to the side and smelled the incredibly distinctive smell of blood. Instinctively, I pulled my hands up to my nose and they were immediately covered in blood. I made it down to the bathroom to clean up, where my nose continued to gush for about 20 minutes.

Even through the swelling, I could tell my nose was broken.

I made it to the hospital where they took care of me and told me "You are right. It's fractured. We really don't do much for broken noses any more. If you'd like me to put it back in place, I can try."

Of course, I said "yes", and they shoved my nose back into place. The swelling has steadily been going down, but it's still sore and it's still a little out of place.

I tried to find a picture to show the before and after. It's not drastic, but I think it's noticeable.

BEFORE

AFTER (reversed for some reason)

Note the light down the bridge of my nose. It's decidedly curved. If you could see my nostrils, you'd note that they're now angled and aren't symmetrical.

There you go--want a new nose? Get elbowed in the face.