Can a Leaking Silicone Implant Cause Chest / Rib Pain?

asked 1 year ago by Melbourne9958 in Melbourne
Latest answer by David Bogue, MD
Question viewed 986 times
Tags: chest, female, silicone implant, leak, ribcage

my left implant showed leakage into the breast cavity around a year ago,i have chest/rib pain now that doc thinks is muscle strain..could a leak in the silicone give this type of pain in this area?it hurts all round the rib cage but more in the center,i can't even lift a half full wash basket or stretch to hang washing without it hurting,somtimes even walking for half hour will trigger it,and it hurts mostly when i lay down causing me lack of sleep. please advise.

9 answers to Can a Leaking Silicone Implant Cause Chest / Rib Pain?

Ruptured silicone implants unlikely to cause rib pain.

A ruptured gel implant is unlikely to cause rib pain. Regardless, a ruptured implant should be replaced. I recommend finding a plastic surgeon in your area for evaluation.

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Silicone leakage, breast implants, pain, capsular contracture

Just a leaky implant will not cause pain and many are silent and only discovered on mammography. However, if it is accompanied by capsular contracture due to loss of the integrity of the implant, or chondritis due to inflammatory changes, or siliconomas, then you should have those implants removed and treat the inflammation. In any case discuss it with your doctor who will explain to you whether your leak is intracapsular or extracapsular and other details. That may explain to you... more

Helen S. Colen, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Can a Leaking Silicone Implant Cause Chest / Rib Pain?

It is possible but best to exchange the "leaking" implant ASAP! What are you waiting for? From MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Remove leaking silicone implants.

You need to have the ruptured implants removed asap. Leaving the silicone to leak longer will be more difficult for the surgeon to complete the surgery. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

You need to remove leaking implants

If you have leak from your implants ,they need to be removed. The leakage of the silicone can cause capsular contracture and local inflammation and pain.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Chest & Rib Pain Not Likely Due to Leaking Implant

Although you can never say never in medicine, it is extremely unlikely that the pain you describe is due to leaking of your silicone implant if the silicone remains in the periprosthetic capsule. When silicone extravasates from the capsule it can sometimes cause an inflammatory reaction which can be accompanied by pain and discomfort (but this would be unusual).

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Can a Leaking Silicone Implant Cause Chest / Rib Pain?

A leaking silicone breast implant can have no symptoms, vague symptoms or in rare cases be associated with discomfort. Your presentation is NOT typical of a leaking silicone gel implant. In my opinion it is time for some tests starting with a regular chest film looking for more common chest and rib conditions which would explain the pain and moving on to a MRI which will most likely show any leaking. Dr. Peter Aldea

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Pain around Breast Implant

There are several questions here. First is how do you know the implant has leaked? Frequently a radiologist will see a “bump” on the side of an implant on a mammogram and call it a leak. Usually there is no leak, just a weakness in the scar capsule around the implant with bulging of the implant through the weakness. This rarely causes pain. In fact, a leaking implant rarely causes pain. The second question is, exactly where is the pain. The usual cause of the pain is the... more

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

Rib pain and silicone?

It is unlikely that the silicone itself is causing rib pain. More likely priro surgery with possible removal of involved tissue ro capsule may be the cause. But you should review this with your doctor.