Prognosis

A zygomatic fracture can also be corrected surgically in most cases if there are several bone fragments and a pronounced dislocation. In particular, the aesthetics of the face can be fully restored by specialists in oral and maxillofacial surgery in most of the affected patients. For this reason, the prognosis of a zygomatic fracture is extremely good.

For the majority of patients, a single operation is sufficient to reconstruct the original appearance. In exceptional cases, a second corrective surgical procedure may be necessary. A zygomatic fracture mainly affects athletes.

In soccer, for example, a hard ball hits the face of a teammate who suffers a zygomatic fracture.The duration of the zygomatic fracture and thus the duration of the player’s absence is often very important for the player personally and for his team. During the period of the zygomatic fracture, the player is generally forbidden to continue training or playing. During important matches, however, it is possible to protect the face with a face mask and thus participate in matches early on after one or two weeks.

If the zygomatic bone fracture was caused by another sports injury, for example boxing, the patient should refrain from participating in sports until the zygomatic bone has grown together again. A new blow on the zygomatic bone could otherwise break it again more easily. However, the duration of a zygomatic fracture is not only interesting for athletes, but generally for every patient who has suffered a zygomatic fracture (zygomatic bone fracture).

After the zygomatic bone has been surgically treated, it takes about 4 weeks for the zygomatic bone (Os zygomaticum) to grow together and heal. Although the zygomaticum is supported by the surgically inserted plate during this time, the zygomatic bone should be spared. Sports such as boxing or motorcycling, where the zygomaticum is subjected to additional stress, can extend the duration of the zygomatic fracture.

In the worst case, the fracture may not heal adequately and the patient may experience permanent slight pain or discomfort (paresthesia) in the area of the fracture. If a patient waits the duration of the zygomatic hernia until the zygomatic bone has grown together again in a stable way, the patient can resume any kind of sport after 4 weeks. However, even after 4 weeks, the patient should take care that the zygomatic bone is not unnecessarily strained, since after the fracture (of the fracture) a fracture in the same area can occur again more quickly.

In some patients, sufficient stability of the zygomatic bone is only achieved after 8-9 weeks, which is why endangered sports (soccer, handball…) should be practised with a face mask. The duration of the zygomatic arch fracture thus depends on the individual patient. By sparing the zygomatic bone during the healing phase (for example by light chewing), the healing process can be accelerated. This reduces the duration of the zygomatic arch fracture. However, it can take up to 6 months before the patient is able to chew and laugh completely free of complaints.