Cheekbone fracture repair
An operation to lift a broken cheekbone back into position and, if needed, hold it with small plates and screws, used when the fracture has changed the face or affected the eye, jaw or sensation.
✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review
In short
- Surgery realigns a broken cheekbone and, if needed, holds it with small plates and screws — usually hidden cuts, often in the hairline or mouth.
- Not every cheekbone fracture needs an operation; minor, stable fractures may be monitored instead.
- Numbness of the cheek and upper lip is common because a nerve runs through the bone; it often improves over months but can be permanent.
- A rare but serious risk is bleeding behind the eye affecting vision — sudden eye pain or worsening sight after surgery needs emergency help.
A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.
At a glance
A general guide. Your surgeon will give you advice for your situation.
Restores the shape and symmetry of the cheek
A minor, stable fracture where the cheek shape, eye and jaw are all normal may be better monitored than operated on.
Swelling and bruising are usually at their worst. You are watched closely for any change in vision. Use cool packs, keep your head raised, and take...
Clear written emergency instructions for eye pain or vision change, with a named urgent contact.
Swelling and bruising are usually at their worst. You are watched closely for any change in vision. Use cool...
Swelling and bruising settle noticeably. Skin stitches are usually removed around a week; mouth stitches dissolve...
The bone is largely healed. Avoid contact sport and any risk of a further blow to the face until your surgeon says...
Cheek numbness can keep improving for several months. Scars continue to fade. Any double vision or asymmetry is...
What is cheekbone fracture repair?
The cheekbone (the zygoma or zygomatic complex) forms the curve of the cheek and part of the eye socket. A hard blow — for example in a fall, assault, sport or road accident — can break it. Because the cheekbone joins the eye socket, nose and upper jaw, a fracture can flatten the cheek, affect the eye, limit jaw opening or cause numbness of the cheek and upper lip.
Not every cheekbone fracture needs surgery. If the bone is barely out of place and the face, eye and jaw are working normally, it may be left to heal on its own with monitoring. Surgery is considered when the fracture has changed the shape of the face, is affecting the eye (such as double vision or a sunken eye), limits how far the mouth opens, or causes troublesome numbness.
The operation lifts the bone back into position (reduction). If it will not stay put on its own, small titanium plates and screws hold it in place (fixation). The cuts used to reach the bone are usually hidden in the hairline, inside the mouth, in the eyebrow, or just below the lower eyelashes.
Surgery aims to restore the shape of the cheek and the function of the eye and jaw. It cannot guarantee that numbness of the cheek will fully recover, as this depends on the nerve injured at the time of the break.
Types & techniques
There isn't one single operation. The right approach depends on you — which is something to discuss with your surgeon.
Surgery vs monitoring a cheekbone fracture
| Surgery | Monitoring |
|---|---|
| Cheek is flattened or out of shape | Cheek shape looks normal |
| Double vision or a sunken eye | Eye and vision are normal |
| Jaw opening is limited | Jaw opens normally |
| Troublesome numbness or displacement | Minor, stable fracture |
| Aims to restore shape and function | Avoids surgery and its risks |
The decision depends on how displaced the bone is and whether the eye, jaw and cheek shape are affected. Your surgeon will explain whether your fracture truly needs fixing or can be safely monitored.
Preparing for your surgery
- Have the scans (usually a CT) and eye assessment the team needs to plan the repair and check the eye socket.
- Tell the team about all medicines, especially blood thinners, and any bleeding tendencies.
- Mention any eye problems or changes in vision before surgery, so they are recorded and watched.
- Follow fasting instructions for the general anaesthetic and arrange a lift home or support.
- Stop smoking if you can, as it slows bone and wound healing.
- Have soft, cool foods and recommended painkillers ready at home, and plan time off work.
- Ask which cuts will be used and what scars and numbness to expect.
What happens
The operation is usually done under a general anaesthetic, so you are asleep. The surgeon reaches the fracture through cuts that are hidden where possible — in the hairline at the temple, inside the mouth above the back teeth, in the eyebrow, or just below the lower eyelashes.
The cheekbone is lifted back into its correct position. If it will not stay there on its own, small titanium plates and screws are used to hold it. If the floor of the eye socket is broken, it may be rebuilt with a thin mesh or graft to support the eye.
The cuts are closed with stitches — skin stitches are usually removed after about a week, and stitches inside the mouth usually dissolve. The operation often takes about 30–90 minutes, longer for complex fractures. Many people go home the same day or after one night, and are watched closely in the first hours for any change in vision.
Is this operation right for me?
A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.
May not be suitable if…
- A minor, stable fracture where the cheek shape, eye and jaw are all normal may be better monitored than operated on.
- Surgery may be delayed or reconsidered if swelling is too great to judge the bone position accurately.
- Very frail patients may be offered a more limited approach after discussing risks and benefits.
- An operation on the bone alone will not, by itself, guarantee numbness recovers.
Delay surgery if…
- There is active infection at or near a planned wound.
- Vision is unstable or there is an eye problem that needs assessing or treating first.
- Blood-thinning medicine or a bleeding tendency has not been assessed.
- Severe swelling makes it hard to judge the bone position (a short, planned delay may help).
- You are not fit for the general anaesthetic until other health problems are managed.
Alternatives to discuss
- Monitoring a minor, stable fracture rather than operating.
- Lifting the bone (closed reduction) without plates where it stays stable.
- Treating the eye socket floor separately if that is the main problem.
- Later corrective surgery if asymmetry or a problem persists after healing.
- Pain relief and supportive care while a decision is made.
Before you decide
Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.
What matters most to me?
Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.
What are all my options?
Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.
What would make me pause?
Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.
What happens if I do nothing today?
For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.
Anaesthetic choices
The safest option depends on the operation, your health, the facility and your surgeon/anaesthetist. Ask what is planned and why.
Benefits
- Restores the shape and symmetry of the cheek
- Can correct double vision or a sunken eye caused by the fracture
- Improves jaw opening when the broken bone was blocking it
- Holds the bone in the right position while it heals
- Can reduce pressure on the nerve, giving numbness the best chance to recover
Risks & complications
- Swelling, bruising and a black eye that settle over about two weeks
- Numbness or tingling of the cheek, side of the nose and upper lip
- Soreness and limited mouth opening at first
- Scars at the cut sites, which usually fade over months
- Infection of a wound or around a plate, sometimes needing antibiotics
- A plate that can be felt, is uncomfortable, or occasionally aches in cold weather
- Some residual asymmetry, with the cheek not perfectly matching the other side
- If a lower-eyelid cut is used, the eyelid being pulled down slightly (ectropion)
- Sinus problems after the cheek is repaired
- Bleeding behind the eye affecting vision — a surgical emergency
- Lasting numbness of the cheek and upper lip if the nerve does not recover
- Persistent double vision needing further treatment
- A plate needing removal if it becomes loose, infected or troublesome
- Serious problems related to the general anaesthetic
The two issues to understand most are numbness and the eye. Numbness of the cheek and upper lip is common because the infraorbital nerve runs through the cheekbone; it often improves over months but can be permanent. The most serious, though rare, risk is bleeding behind the eye that threatens vision — which is why you are watched closely afterwards. Tell the team straight away about any worsening eye pain or change in sight. Some asymmetry can remain even after a good repair, so ask your surgeon what result is realistic for your fracture.
Published figures to discuss
How well a cheekbone fracture repair turns out depends mainly on the injury itself — how displaced the bone is and which nerve was damaged — rather than on the operation alone. Numbness recovery is judged over months. The figures below are cautious ranges from the surgical literature; the most serious risk, bleeding behind the eye, is rare but is the reason for close monitoring afterwards.
| Figure | Reported range | How to interpret it | Source / confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numbness of the cheek and upper lip (infraorbital nerve) | Common after the injury and surgery; studies report infraorbital sensory disturbance in a large minority to majority, with most improvement over months | Depends largely on the nerve injury at the time of the break; recovery is judged over several months. | StatPearls — Zygomatic arch fractures (NCBI Bookshelf)ncbi.nlm.nih.govSource-linked context |
| Some residual facial asymmetry | Minor asymmetry reported in roughly 20–40% of patients, usually needing no treatment | Major asymmetry needing correction is much less common. | StatPearls — Zygomatic arch fractures (NCBI Bookshelf)ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure |
| Major asymmetry needing corrective surgery | Reported in around 3–4% of patients in some series | Most asymmetry is minor; significant correction is uncommon. | StatPearls — Zygomatic arch fractures (NCBI Bookshelf)ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure |
| Bleeding behind the eye threatening vision (retrobulbar haemorrhage) | Rare, generally case-report level, but a surgical emergency | Worsening eye pain or change in sight after surgery needs immediate attention; this is why patients are monitored closely. | StatPearls — Zygomatic arch fractures (NCBI Bookshelf)ncbi.nlm.nih.govSource-linked context |
These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.
Recovery — what to expect, and when
Most people recover from cheekbone fracture repair over about two weeks for the swelling and bruising, though numbness of the cheek can take much longer to improve and the bone takes around six weeks to heal.
- Swelling, bruising and a black eye for the first couple of weeks
- Numbness or tingling of the cheek, nose and upper lip that improves slowly
- Limited mouth opening that eases as swelling goes down
- Tender, pink scars at the cut sites that fade over months
- A blocked or stuffy feeling on the affected side of the nose for a time
Aftercare
- Use cool packs and keep your head raised in the first days to ease swelling.
- Do not blow your nose on the affected side for about a month, to protect the repair.
- Eat soft, cool foods at first if you have cuts inside the mouth.
- Keep wounds clean and dry, and use any mouthwash or salt-water rinses advised for mouth cuts.
- Take painkillers and any antibiotics exactly as prescribed.
- Avoid contact sport and anything that risks a blow to the face for about six weeks.
- Protect healing scars from the sun once the wounds have closed.
- Attend follow-up so healing, the eye and any numbness can be checked.
- Scans and eye assessment done before surgery
- Soft, cool foods ready if mouth cuts are planned
- Recommended painkillers and any antibiotics collected
- Cool packs for swelling
- A lift home arranged for the day of the general anaesthetic
- About 2 weeks off work or school booked
- The team's contact number saved, and the emergency eye warning understood
Scars and how they heal
The surgeon places cuts where they hide well — in the hairline at the temple, inside the mouth (no external scar), in the eyebrow, or just below the lower eyelashes. External scars are pink and slightly firm at first and usually fade over a few months to become difficult to see. A lower-eyelid cut occasionally pulls the eyelid down slightly. Sun protection helps scars settle. Ask your surgeon which cuts your repair will need.
⚠ Get urgent help if…
- Worsening pain in or around the eye, or any change in or loss of vision — seek emergency help
- A rapidly swelling, tense eye socket after surgery
- Spreading redness, heat, swelling or pus at a wound (possible infection)
- A high temperature or feeling generally unwell
- Bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure
- Sudden, severe double vision
- Numbness that is getting worse rather than better
Who to contact: your surgeon or clinic first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.
General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your surgeon gives you.
Results & realistic expectations
A good repair restores the shape and symmetry of the cheek, supports the eye and frees up jaw opening, with the bone healing in the right position. Swelling and bruising settle over about two weeks, and scars fade over months.
Numbness of the cheek and upper lip often improves over several months, but it can be permanent, because it depends on the nerve injured at the time of the break rather than on the surgery alone. Some asymmetry can remain even after a careful repair. A good surgeon explains what result is realistic for your fracture and what to do urgently if your vision changes.
Once a cheekbone fracture has healed in the correct position, the repair is generally permanent and the plates usually stay in for life without problems. Occasionally a plate needs removing if it becomes loose, infected or can be felt and is troublesome. Numbness and any double vision are usually judged settled within several months. A further injury to the same area can, of course, cause new damage.
Combining with other procedures
Cheekbone fractures often happen alongside other facial injuries, so repair may be combined with treatment of the eye socket floor, the nose, the upper jaw or other facial fractures in the same operation. If the eye socket floor is broken, it may be rebuilt with a thin mesh or graft at the same time. Your surgeon will explain everything that needs doing and why.
Follow-up & long-term care
You will be reviewed after surgery to check wound healing, the position of the bone, the eye and any numbness, with further reviews as swelling settles over the following weeks and months. You should be told who to contact urgently for eye symptoms or infection, and when it is safe to return to sport and normal activity.
- Protect the face from further injury, especially in contact sport, until fully healed.
- Report any numbness that is not improving so it can be reviewed.
- Mention a plate that becomes sore, loose or troublesome, as it can be removed.
- Attend reviews for the eye and cheek shape until they are judged settled.
Revision and secondary surgery reality
- Some fractures need further surgery if the bone position or asymmetry is not satisfactory once healed.
- A lower-eyelid cut can occasionally pull the eyelid down (ectropion), sometimes needing correction.
- A plate may need removing if it becomes loose, infected or troublesome.
- Persistent double vision or numbness occasionally needs further assessment and treatment.
Ask your surgeon for their own revision rate, what counts as a revision, and what is included in the written aftercare policy.
What good aftercare looks like
- Clear written emergency instructions for eye pain or vision change, with a named urgent contact.
- Advice on cool packs, head elevation, not blowing the nose, and wound or mouth care.
- Early review of the wounds, eye and bone position, then later review of numbness and symmetry.
- A clear plan for when it is safe to return to work and to sport.
- Honest discussion of the realistic result and what to do if asymmetry or symptoms persist.
What affects the cost
Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:
- How complex the fracture is and whether the eye socket floor also needs repair
- Whether the bone simply needs lifting or also needs plates and screws
- Any mesh or graft used to rebuild the eye socket floor
- The general anaesthetic and theatre or facility fees
- Scans (such as CT) and any eye assessment needed to plan and check the repair
- The surgeon's fee, length of stay and follow-up appointments
- The surgeon's fee and what the operation covers
- The general anaesthetic and theatre or facility fees
- Any implants used (plates, screws, mesh or graft)
- Scans and eye assessment before and after surgery
- Length of stay and follow-up appointments
- The cancellation policy
- What happens, and who pays, if a complication or further surgery is needed
On the NHS? Cheekbone fracture repair is provided on the NHS as part of urgent care after facial injury; private care is uncommon for acute trauma but may be used for later review or correction.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including aftercare and any revision — before you decide.
Consent traps and marketing red flags
These are not small details. They are often where patients lose choice, time to reflect, or realistic expectations.
Consent traps
- Not explaining that cheek numbness is common and may not fully recover.
- Not giving clear emergency instructions about worsening eye pain or vision change.
- Not discussing the chance of some residual asymmetry even after a good repair.
- Not explaining which cuts are used and what scars to expect.
- No written aftercare plan or contact route for problems.
Marketing red flags
- Promising a perfectly symmetrical face after fixing a cheekbone fracture.
- Describing the operation as 'simple' without mentioning numbness or the rare eye risk.
- Claiming numbness always fully recovers.
- Not explaining when surgery can be avoided in favour of monitoring.
Choosing a surgeon safely
- Check your surgeon is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
- Make sure they practise at a CQC-registered location, and look for membership of bodies like BAAPS or BAPRAS.
- You're entitled to a two-stage consent process with time to reflect (a cooling-off period). The surgeon who will operate must consent you — not a salesperson.
- Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers, discounts or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
- You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including aftercare and any revision — before you decide.
Questions to ask your medical professional
Take this to your consultation. A good surgeon will welcome every one of these.
- Does my fracture genuinely need fixing, or can it be safely monitored?
- Which cuts will you use, and what scars and numbness should I expect?
- Is the floor of my eye socket affected, and does it need rebuilding?
- What is my risk of lasting numbness or any double vision?
- What should I do urgently if my vision changes after surgery?
- When can I safely return to work and to sport?
- Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
- Will you be the surgeon who carries out my operation, and who looks after me afterwards?
- What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
- What does a realistic result look like — and what can this operation not achieve?
- What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
- Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
- What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?
Frequently asked questions
Does every broken cheekbone need surgery?
Will my cheek stay numb?
Where will the scars be?
Do the plates have to come out?
What is the most serious risk?
How long until I can play sport again?
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How we made this page
Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →
Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.
Sources & standards: BAOMS — patient information on facial injuries StatPearls — Zygomatic arch fractures (NCBI Bookshelf) Recovery of the infraorbital nerve after zygomatic complex fractures (PubMed) Infraorbital nerve sensory disturbance in zygomatic complex fractures (PMC) NHS Lanarkshire — Zygoma fractures: initial assessment, management and referral (maxillofacial pathway, 2025; hosted on NHS Scotland's Right Decision Service)
Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.
Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.
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