Does Every Case of Deviated Septum Require Treatment?

Posted on by Goodyear Office

Your nose is split in half by a piece of bone and cartilage called your septum. When the split between either side of your septum is even, air can move easily through your nose, barring any inflammation. A perfectly straight septum is actually fairly rare. An estimated 80% of people have at least a slight deviation.[1] A deviation can arise from injury, or you could be born with it.

The degree of your septum deviation and the symptoms it causes will determine whether it requires treatment.

The Degree and Symptoms of a Septum Deviation

Deviated Nasal Septum Medical Vector Illustration.

Minor septum deviation is unlikely to cause any problems. In fact, most people with minor cases don’t even know their septum is deviated. If your deviation is more severe, it may be visible from the outside of the nose; a crooked appearance of the bridge of the nose or nostrils of different sizes are two visual indicators.

In addition to visual indicators, a severely deviated septum can increase your likelihood of certain sinus conditions or symptoms, including but not limited to:

The presence of nasal polyps or allergies can worsen symptoms of a deviated septum.

Diagnosing and Treating a Deviated Septum

Our specialist will use a CT scan, nasal endoscopy or both to diagnose your deviated septum. If your deviation is severe enough to cause symptoms, and you can’t manage your symptoms through medication, we may recommend a surgery called a septoplasty to correct it.

A septoplasty surgery reshapes the septum to allow for easier breathing. The surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day. Initial recovery will take between a week and two, and you will need to avoid vigorous physical activity during that time—no football games at Portales Park until it is over. More advanced healing will take place over the following few months.

If you’re experiencing chronic sinus symptoms, contact Goodyear Office to schedule an appointment with one of our sinus specialists. We can determine if a deviated septum is behind your symptoms and recommend the appropriate treatment.

[1] Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Deviated septum: Symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16924-deviated-septum