France labored to a hard fought 1-0 victory over a resolute and well-organized Austria side in their Euro 2024 opener in a match that saw star striker Kylian Mbappe suffer an unfortunate injury. The incident occurred in the 86th minute when Mbappe collided with Austrian defender Kevin Danso while attempting a header, resulting in an impact that left the 25-year-old writhing in pain on the pitch. During the incident Mbappe’s nose collided with Danso’s shoulder as both players were making an attempt at the ball. Mbappe was visibly in agony, and it was confirmed later that he suffered a nasal fracture. The player was taken promptly to hospital after the match, and it was initially thought that he would require immediate surgery however reports later confirmed that he was able to avoid surgery.
Nasal fractures, commonly referred to as broken noses, are among the most frequent facial injuries sustained in soccer. These injuries can range from minor cracks to severe displacements, each with varying degrees of complexity and recovery time. There are three main types of nasal fractures.
The first is a simple fracture. This type of fracture involves a clean break in the nasal bone without significant displacement or soft tissue damage. While painful, simple fractures are generally considered less severe and may heal without any type of external manipulation or surgical intervention.
A higher severity type of fracture is a displaced nasal fracture. In this case, the nasal bones are displaced or misaligned, often resulting in a visibly crooked or deformed appearance. Displaced fractures typically require manual reduction or realignment and splinting to ensure proper healing and restoration of the nose's natural shape. This is often done in hospital under sedation as it is typically a painful procedure but necessary to allow for proper healing and better aesthetic outcomes. This is most likely the type of fracture that Mbappe suffered as his nose appeared deformed after the collision and there is a high likelihood that he underwent this type of procedure while he was at hospital.
The most severe type of fracture is a comminuted nasal fracture. This is a more complex fracture where the nasal bone is shattered into multiple fragments. Comminuted fractures often involve significant swelling, bruising, and potential damage to surrounding structures, such as the nasal septum or sinuses. These types of fractures almost always require surgical intervention and can also be associated with complications such as infection, hematoma formation, and injury to surrounding nerves.
The treatment approach for nasal fractures largely depends on the severity and type of injury sustained. For simple non-displaced fractures that require no intervention, the recovery time is relatively short (about 7-10 days) and the athlete may return to training and competition once the pain and swelling has subsided and they feel comfortable enough to undergo the physical demands of the sport. Typically, it is prudent to wear a face mask to protect the fracture from subsequent trauma and allow for uninterrupted healing.
For displaced fractures, a closed reduction procedure may be performed. As mentioned above, this involves manually repositioning the nasal bones under sedation or local anesthesia and applying splints or casts to maintain proper alignment during healing. The recovery timeline can vary significantly depending on the extent of the injury and the treatment approach. In most cases, recovery typically takes 2-4 weeks, with the initial swelling and bruising subsiding within the first week. Protective gear, such as a face mask, is often required for these fractures as well, upon return to play.
In cases of comminuted fractures or severe displacement, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery may be required. This involves making incisions to access and realign the fractured bones, which are then stabilized with plates or screws. The recovery time for ORIF can range from 4-8 weeks, depending on the extent of the surgery and the presence of any associated injuries.
Given the urgency of the situation and Mbappe's pivotal role in France's Euro 2024 campaign, he requires a rapid return to training and match play. The recovery process may be accelerated through specialized rehabilitation protocols. He likely underwent a closed reduction procedure of his nasal fracture, and it is estimated that the recovery period following such a procedure could sideline Mbappe for a minimum of 7-10 days, potentially extending up to several weeks depending on the speed of his recovery. This timeline presents a significant challenge for the French talisman, as he races against time to rejoin his teammates for the crucial group stage matches against the Netherlands and Poland, as well as any potential knockout round matches.
References
Patel Y, Goljan P, Pierce TP, Scillia A, Issa K, McInerney VK, Festa A. Management of Nasal Fractures in Sports. Sports Med. 2017 Oct;47(10):1919-1923. doi: 10.1007/s40279-017-0729-8. PMID: 28417330.
Alvi S, Patel BC. Nasal Fracture Reduction. [Updated 2023 Apr 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538299/