The professional hockey player, Nathan MacKinnon, sustained a nasal fracture. This injury, commonly resulting from impact during gameplay, involves a break in one or more of the bones of the nose. As an example, such an incident might occur from a high-sticking penalty or a collision with another player.
Such an injury impacts a player’s participation and performance. Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the fracture, and often necessitates the use of protective equipment upon return to play. Historically, these injuries have been a common occurrence in contact sports, leading to advancements in protective gear and medical protocols for treatment and rehabilitation.