How Will I Know if My Breast Implant Has Ruptured?

Hope you are doing well after your incident. It is highly unlikely that your breast implants will burst after a fall. However, if you notice bumps in your breasts, deflation, chest pain and/or swelling, or if your breasts suddenly become hard, it is very likely that your implants have ruptured and I advise you to see your surgeon immediately.

For Saline implants - its simple - just look in a mirror and see if you are flat on one side. For silicone implants prior to 2006, ruptures occur at rates of approximately 1-2% per year for the first ten years then markedly increases after that time period. A rupture or deflation of the implant may be experienced at any point after the initial augmentation; this complication may be increased by an under-filling or overfilling of saline solution into the implant, excessive compression, trauma, and other causes. (If the implant shell if not filled with the correct amount of saline, there may be a crease or fold in the shell which often leads to a rupture). You will be able to self-diagnose the need for an implant exchange (if using a saline implant) because if the current implant ruptures, the breast will shrink to approximately its preoperative size. A silicone implant that has a rupture is usually noted on a routine mammogram or MRI scan. In either case although the situation needs to be corrected on a timely basis, it is not dangerous to your health from our current knowledge base. Silicone implants after 2006 are more cohesive and less likely to leak.

Good question. Silicone implants do not deflate like saline implants. So most women do not know the exact time when their gel implants have "broken, ruptured, leaked". Implants are very strong so I doubt that you broke them with your fall, but it is normal to be concerned. I would suggest taking some NSAIDs for about a week or two to let your body heal and then see how you feel. If you notice any change in your breasts in the way they feel or look, you should see your surgeon for an exam. If there is any further concern an MRI can be obtained. You are not in any imminent health risk having an undetected broken implant. Good luck.

    If there is no real shape change or pain or problem with the implants, there may be no need to change them.  If you want to know about rupture, an MRI is the most sensitive and specific.   Another thing to consider is replacement of the silicone implants after 10 years.

Cheap and easy is a combination of Mammogram and ultrasound.  However, the most accurate is an MRI.  Unfortunately, most insurances dont cover the cost which can run $900-1200.  Given that your implants are 13 years old, there is a very good chance that they are already ruptured just from age.  I recommend to my patients that they consider replacement at 10 years.  Hope this helps. Good Luck!