20 years after surgery I'm getting electric shock type pain when I exercise. Advice?

Question

Breast implants, saline, under muscle. Surgery done 20 years ago. Never any problems. my breasts are normal, soft, size the same! visually no problems. Last couple of weeks, when I exercise, I will get a quick electric shock type pain, starts inner side by cleavage and shoots inwards.. please help?

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

Twenty years may be the time when scarring around the implant becomes symptomatic with pain and tightness, called capsular contracture. It may be time to address a revision to the breast implants. I would recommend you see a Board-certified plastic surgeon to assess the implants and determine studies needed and a treatment plan. Good luck!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I would recommend an exam by a plastic surgeon or your general practice doctor.  Not everything that hurts in that area is related the breast implants.  The exercise may have created chest wall pain due to costochondritis, which may spontaneously resolve.  It could be any number of things.

Mary Gingrass, MD · Answer

I concur that all pain in the chest area in women with breast implants is not necessarily related to the implants.  It sounds like you have had a great 20 years with your implants and hopefully will have another 20 ahead.  Since this pain has only recently become an issue and is directly related to your workouts, I would recommend trying to avoid the exercises that aggregate it for a couple weeks.  If your stomach tolerates Advil (ibuprofen), this may help significantly, especially if this is musculoskeletal pain.  If it does not resolve with that I would recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon who does a lot of augmentations.  Good luck.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

The most common problem causing late pain after a breast augmentation is a capsular contracture.  You need to have your breast examined by a plastic surgeon to determine the etiology of your problem.  Try to wear a supportive bra until you can be seen by a plastic surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

At twenty years after implants, it is unusual to have pain. It can be from many different things and should be evaluated in person. The most common cause is a tight breast capsule.

20 years after surgery I'm getting electric shock type pain when I exercise. Advice?

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Answer: Breast pain 20 years after a breast augmentation

Answer: Breast pain 20 years after a breast augmentation

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Answer: Breast implant and pain

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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20 years after surgery I'm getting electric shock type pain when I exercise. Advice?

Answers (7)

Answer: Breast pain 20 years after a breast augmentation

Answer: Breast pain 20 years after a breast augmentation

Answer: Breast implant and pain

Answer: Breast implant and pain

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.