Why Would I Start Feeling Pain Around One Implant 2 Years Post-Op?

There are two possiblities to explain pain that develops months or years after breast imlants:


Pain can be due to muscle spasms or cramping with increased activity or irritation.  This will occure during or after increased activity of the muscle including exercision.

Pain and tightness can also signify the development of a capsular contracture.  This is more likely to be a more constant pain, independent of physical activity.


Both are more likely to happen on only one side and not both.

It's difficult to say without an examination but I also think that it's either overactivity or possibly the start of capsular contracture.  If you rest (do not swim) for a week or two and see that this pain has gone away, that is a good way to know that it was due to the swimming.  Capsular contracture often happens in one breast - it may feel more firm than the other. I hope this helps.

Capsular contracture is the 1st thing you must consider. Usually the breast with contracture will feel firmer and may be slightly higher. Muscle Injury and costochondritis, pain from the ribs could be other things to consider.

If this Is an early contracture and may respond to physical therapy Including ultrasound massage and banding.

Trying to figure out relieving and/or aggravating factors may help you figure out the cause of your problem.

Hello,

The onset of pain in one breast two years after breast augmentation is usually either activity related or a symptom of capsule contracture.  If your breasts feel soft and look the same as they have throughout the post-operative period and you have been more active lately with swimming it may just be muscle pain from the activity.  You can diagnose this by giving your upper body some rest.  If the pain goes away you can be confident that it is activity related and not likely a sign of capsule contracture.

All the best,

Dr Repta

To fully answer your question I'd need to know the specifics of your surgery.  If your implants are under your muscle then it's normal to have occasions of muscle pain, twanks, or other discomfort.  This is typically on one side.  The best way to prove that your pain is muscle related put your hand on your hip on the side that's hurting you and push against your hip.  Feel the muscle tht's tightening from your armpit on that side down toward your breast.  If you grab that muscle down toward your breast and squeeze it you will recognize that same pain.  If this isn't the case then your issue may be one of several other that are a bit unusual at this point, but possible.  The other that can cause one sided pain is capsule contracture...a hardening/tightening of the normal scar tissue that surrounds your implant.  This will make the implant on that side feel a bit firmer than the other.

In general, these are questions that your plastic surgeon should be able to answer.  If your plastic surgeon is unsure then a second opinion never hurts!  Good luck!  Scott Newman, MD FACS