At my 6 week check up I told my plastic surgeon that I felt a soft protruding lump on my right breast. He informed me that it was a knuckle in my implant. And than stated that there was nothing he could do about it! I'm very upset because it seems to be worse now that my breasts have settled more. It is now visable when I wear a bathing suit. What can I do? What is a knuckle in an implant?
November 11, 2016
Answer: Palpable and visible "knuckle" in a breast implant Breast implants are designed to be soft and compressible, which helps an augmented breast feel natural and soft. Occasionally a soft implant can be compressed and folded inside the scar "capsule" that surrounds the implant. This results in a palpable and occasionally visible "knuckle" or fold in the breast implant. The likelihood of a fold being palpable or visible is greater if there is little soft tissue thickness (breast gland or fat) covering the implant. In some of these cases an exploration of the implant pocket can be performed and the tight capsule released to allow for more room for the implant and thus less folding of the implant. There are also new types of implants that are firmer and less likely to fold, and these maybe an option in some patients. There are also tissue grafts that can be used as extra thickness to mask the palpability of an implant in very thin patients. All of these options have risks and benefits, so a discussion with your Plastic Surgeon or a Plastic Surgeon with experience in breast revision surgery would be very important!
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November 11, 2016
Answer: Palpable and visible "knuckle" in a breast implant Breast implants are designed to be soft and compressible, which helps an augmented breast feel natural and soft. Occasionally a soft implant can be compressed and folded inside the scar "capsule" that surrounds the implant. This results in a palpable and occasionally visible "knuckle" or fold in the breast implant. The likelihood of a fold being palpable or visible is greater if there is little soft tissue thickness (breast gland or fat) covering the implant. In some of these cases an exploration of the implant pocket can be performed and the tight capsule released to allow for more room for the implant and thus less folding of the implant. There are also new types of implants that are firmer and less likely to fold, and these maybe an option in some patients. There are also tissue grafts that can be used as extra thickness to mask the palpability of an implant in very thin patients. All of these options have risks and benefits, so a discussion with your Plastic Surgeon or a Plastic Surgeon with experience in breast revision surgery would be very important!
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
November 10, 2016
Answer: Knuckle in implant. What can I do? What is a knuckle in an implant? Hello lillori225,Thank you for your question, and I am sorry to hear about this. It is difficult to say without photos or an exam, but it appears that the implant has a small crease or fold in it that is causing the "knuckle". Most implants are composed of an inner gel well below the maximum fill amount in order to provide a softer, more natural feel. However, if these devices are not fit into a snug pocket then the outer shell can develop a crease. The latest cohesive gell implants decrease the chance of a "knuckle" forming as the gel is not as viscous. Also, Inspira implants are filled to roughly 95% maximum fill volume to limit the possibility of a crease forming.Please continue to discuss with your plastic surgeon.
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November 10, 2016
Answer: Knuckle in implant. What can I do? What is a knuckle in an implant? Hello lillori225,Thank you for your question, and I am sorry to hear about this. It is difficult to say without photos or an exam, but it appears that the implant has a small crease or fold in it that is causing the "knuckle". Most implants are composed of an inner gel well below the maximum fill amount in order to provide a softer, more natural feel. However, if these devices are not fit into a snug pocket then the outer shell can develop a crease. The latest cohesive gell implants decrease the chance of a "knuckle" forming as the gel is not as viscous. Also, Inspira implants are filled to roughly 95% maximum fill volume to limit the possibility of a crease forming.Please continue to discuss with your plastic surgeon.
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