How long will a damaged or broken nose (greater alar) or any other cartilage hurt? until it healed? until it healed by itself?

Stage 1 of healing: Pain is a signal from the injured body part to the brain. The message is - I am hurt, take it easy on me. There are lots of nerve endings on the face, so broken nose is extra painful. During the first stage of healing, there is swelling, redness, inflammation - usually lots of pain. After that, pain gets less and less, unless new injury happens. Keep away from the nose, pain will get better.