An orbital floor fracture is a common facial bone injury that requires prompt medical attention. This injury can lead to serious complications if not treated properly. Understanding the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this fracture is essential to optimize healing and minimize potential sequelae.
Symptoms and diagnosis of an orbital floor fracture
The clinical signs of an orbital floor fracture may vary in intensity, but certain symptoms are characteristic of this injury:
- Sharp pain in the orbit
- Periorbital edema and ecchymosis
- Double vision (diplopia)
- sunken eye (enophthalmos)
- Sensory disturbances in cheek, lip or teeth
When faced with these symptoms, it’s crucial to seek prompt medical attention. Diagnosis is based primarily on a thorough clinical examination and an orbital CT scan. This imaging test enables us to visualize the fracture precisely and assess its extent.
In the event of a suspected fracture of the orbital floor, we strongly advise against blowing the nose. This action could aggravate the lesion by increasing intra-orbital pressure.
Surgical treatment and healing time
Treatment of an orbital floor fracture depends on the severity of the injury. In many cases, surgery is required. Surgery is generally scheduled within a few days of the trauma, once the initial swelling has subsided.
Surgery has two main aims:
- Release soft tissue trapped in the fracture
- Reconstruct the orbital floor using specific materials
The hospital stay for this procedure is relatively short, ranging from 1 to 3 days on average. After the operation, the patient must follow a rigorous care protocol to optimize healing:
| Type of care | Duration |
|---|---|
| Local care | 8 to 10 days |
| Eye drops | Approx. 1 week |
| Suture removal | Around day 6 or 7 |
The total healing time for an orbital floor fracture is generally estimated at between 4 and 6 weeks. However, this period may vary depending on the severity of the fracture and individual response to treatment.
Surgical follow-up and potential complications
Following surgery, the patient can expect a number of normal post-operative effects:
- Moderate pain for a few days
- Periorbital edema persisting for several days
- Temporary visual discomfort
Although the majority of patients recover without problems, it is important to be aware of the potential complications associated with an orbital floor fracture:
- Persistent diplopia: double vision that does not improve with time
- Enophthalmos: the appearance of a hollow, sunken eye
- Persistent disturbance of facial sensitivity
- Post-operative infection (rare)
- Optic nerve compression (exceptional but serious)
These complications are more frequent in children, which is why the surgical indication should be made with great caution in this population.
Tips to optimize healing
To promote rapid recovery and minimize the risk of complications, it is essential to scrupulously follow medical recommendations. Here are a few tips to optimize healing after an orbital floor fracture:
- Rest and protection: Avoid strenuous physical activity during the recovery period.
- Rigorous hygiene: Follow local and eye care instructions carefully.
- Monitoring: Watch for signs of infection or worsening of symptoms.
- Medical follow-up: Keep follow-up appointments with your surgeon and ophthalmologist.
- Patience: Full recovery may take several weeks, or even months in some cases.
Ultimately, an orbital floor fracture is a serious injury that requires appropriate medical management. Although the healing time is generally 4 to 6 weeks, each case is unique and may require individual follow-up. The key to optimal recovery lies in early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and strict adherence to post-operative recommendations.
