I had a car accident totaled my car and my implant and chest are very painful. Any suggestions?

Question

Wondering if I Damage to implant had chest X-ray no broken ribs. Injuries cause from seatbelt and jerking around in car. It was a significant impact.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

If you are concerned about your implants, the best thing to do is to schedule an appointment with your plastic surgeon and start with an examination. If there are concerns based on exam then imaging may be warranted. #PlasticSurgery #BreastAug #Implants #BreastImplants #damagingimplants

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.

If your implants are saline, it would be quite apparent if they failed.  Silicone is more difficult to tell.  Once you are healed from your car accident, schedule an appointment with a plastic surgeon so he/she can examine you and send you for ultrasound if need.  Wishing you a speedy recovery!

The best way to assess and give
true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified
plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery.

best of luck!

Dr Schwartz

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

Chest X Ray can rule out broken ribs and punctured lung.  From the accident, you may have muscle spasm, soft tissue injury, etc which would require an exam by your plastic surgeon.  And then if indicated, further studies and/or treatment.

Larry Weinstein, MD · Answer

I am sorry you had a car accident. You report that your car was tootled but you are basically OK, thank g-d. Now we are concerned with how your chest feels and your breast implants. Best examination to determine if there is rupture of your implants is to get a bilateral MRI of your breast and chest. This could also tell us if you have a cartilaginous injury of your chest, a chest X-ray will only show fractures of the bone. I have had one patient who was saved by her implants, she had bilateral rib and clavicle fractures with ruptured implants. I replaced the silicone implants some months after the initial injury that required Intensive care and respiratory support. The silicone implants had acted as shock absorbers, so she survived, the driver was not as lucky.See a board certified ASAPS plastic surgeon with breast implant experience. I hope you feel better. Good luck...

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

The first thing to do is look in the mirror and see if things look symmetric from side to side.  If both implants look normal and like they did prior to your accident, it is more than likely just soft tissue injury (swelling in the surrounding tissues due to the high impact of the accident).  If implants do not look the same from side to side, it would be a good idea to call your PS and they will most likely order an MRI to check and make sure they implants are alright.

George Volpe, MD · Answer

After a car accident, depending on the severity, there can be a number of injuries that can cause discomfort in the chest region. If one has breast implants and following a workup at an emergency room to reload any other serious injuries, it may be wise to have an evaluation by a plastic surgeon. There are a number of injuries including bruises, strained muscles and such that would not be picked up easily by the common imaging techniques used after a trauma.

Sanjiv Kayastha, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I'm glad that you are OK. It is most likely that you have musculoskeletal strains from your impact that are causing your discomfort if other more serious injuries have been ruled out. It you detect a change in the appearance or feel of either of your implants it is possible that they may have been damaged. If you are concerned, they best thing to do is to schedule an appointment with your surgeon for an exam. Hope you feel better.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Implants are usually pretty durable. If they are silicone you might consider an MRI to make sure they are still intact.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I'm glad you were not seriously injured. First question is do you have saline or silicone implants??If saline, the implant is likely intact because if injured, the saline implant deflates rapidly and you would notice a large discrepancy in size overnight.If silicone, the only way to assess the viability of the implant is with an MRI of your chest.  The radiologist can visualize the outer shell integrity of the implant to determine if ruptured.A rare delayed response to chest trauma is the formation of a capsular contracture (which may start at any time).  Blood or trauma to the capsule may cause a thickening of the scar tissue surrounding your implant.  This manafests as a change in the shape or softness of the breast.Best of luck.Dr. T

Brian Coan, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Patti, I'm so sorry to hear about your recent accident.  Thank you for sharing your story as this is a common question after accidents.  With your breast implants you may tell if there's an implant rupture by having an MRI.  I hope this is helpful and wish you the best.Brian S. Coan, MD, FACS

I had a car accident totaled my car and my implant and chest are very painful. Any suggestions?

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