How can I tell if I ruptured my breast implant?

Question

I got car accident yesterday. My car was bumped into the car in the road and the air bag was deployed. My breast hit by airbag.The speed was almost 40 miles/hr. Although my car was severely crushed, no one was injured.I didn't notice any injury at that time except right breast pain. Next day, I felt pain and numbness on the right side of breast. Also, there is bruising on there. Is it any chance to occur ruptured breast implants? Mine is mentor's silicon gel had on 2008. I am worried about tearing my implant bag. There is no sign of asymmetric from both breasts. The pain is getting reduced. Do you think it is ruptured?

Christopher Khorsandi, MD · Answer

It is very difficult to determine whether or not a silicone gel implant has ruptured based on physical exam or appearance alone. MRI is traditionally used as the gold standard for determining implant rupture. That being said other things can happen during a car accident such as implant mal positioning.   It is best that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon to help you make this determination. Although 40 mph does not seem to be significantly high speed at that force trauma can be substantial. Considering that you have bruising on that side is likely that something may have happened. Whether or not this is a rupture cannot be determined by description alone.

Shahriar Mabourakh, MD, FACS · Answer

It is rare for blunt injury as in a car accident to rupture the new silicone implants. They are very durable and can take the forces involved in a car accident. This is not true of gel implants from over 10 years ago. To diagnose a possible rupture of silicone implants have your surgeon examine you, an MRI or sometimes an ultrasound exam may be necessary. In cases of saline implants, if there is a leak you will notice a change in size as the volume inside the implant is reduced. With saline implants, your body will absorb the leaking saline and it is not a problem, exchange of implant can occur at any time. Leaking silicone implant should be removed and replaced without a long delay since silicone gel can cause a local reaction if it is outside the shell of the implant.

William T. Stoeckel, MD · Answer

The chances of your slicone gel implant rupturing due to the blunt force of an airbag are extremely unlikely. The implants are very durable and can withstand a significant amount of blunt force without causing any structural damage. That being said, the only way to know with more certainty would be to obtain an MRI. I would suggest just allowing the breasts to heal and for the bruising and pain to subside. If you have any asymmetry or persistent pain, consider having an MRI.

Peter J. Capizzi, MD · Answer

Johanna, car accidents can be very traumatic. I'm glad you and the other passengers came out of this - overall - in good healthy. As to the implant question. First, as you probably know, saline implants will empty as the body absorbs water so a saline rupture is a fairly straightforward diagnosis. Not so with silicone. Silicone implants can have a silent rupture and may not be detected without an MRI.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

Its very difficult to clinically detect a rupture of a gel implant.  You have choices to either pursue this aggressively due to car accident (perhaps auto insurance will cover the MRI) and have a MRI or if everything settles down and your breast remain clinically unchanged (soft and normal appearance), you can simply observe it and wait for changes to develop before having more studies or exams.

How can I tell if I ruptured my breast implant?

Answers (10)