Q: I had primary rhinoseptoplasty with turbinate reduction and tip definition/bridge straightening 6 days ago. Went well and healing well. Cast comes off tomorrow. All bruising is yellow now–worse on right side near the worst of the c-curve. From under the cast I can see a deep purple bruise about an inch long running parallel and under the cast that has remained purple. Dr mentioned he had to do some bridge filing. Why might this bruise be in this location and hasn’t faded at similar rate?
A: Bruising and swelling are almost always asymmetric. Don’t worry too much about uneven bruising. Bruising is simply the product of red blood cells being broken down. The skin on the bridge (dorsum) is very thin relative to say the skin over the nasal tip or cheek. In order to “file” the bridge he had to lift the skin over it, and in so doing probably broke a few blood vessels (which is completely common and normal). Ask your Dr. when you follow up if he recommends Arnica.
