Eyebrow Fracture After Fall: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

A fall onto the face can fracture the supraorbital rim or frontal bone (brow ridge). Though these bones are thick, concentrated impact can cause:

Fracture Types

• Hairline/non‑displaced: Minimal displacement; often managed conservatively.
• Displaced/comminuted: Bone fragments shifted; may require open reduction/internal fixation (ORIF).
• Orbital rim involvement: Risk of globe injury, diplopia, enophthalmos.

Symptoms

• Pain, swelling, ecchymosis (black eye)
• Step‑off deformity on palpation
• Limited brow movement, forehead numbness (supraorbital nerve)
• Diplopia, restricted eye movement (if orbital floor involved)
• CSF leak (rare; clear fluid from nose/ear)

Management

1. Urgent evaluation: CT maxillofacial (fine cuts).
2. Conservative: Ice, head elevation, analgesics, antibiotics if sinus communication.
3. Surgical: ORIF for displacement >2 mm, diplopia, enophthalmos, cosmetic deformity.
4. Follow‑up: Ophthalmology if orbital involvement.

Prompt assessment prevents missed intracranial or ocular injury.