How Much Pressure Will Burst a Calf Implant?

Question

I am involved in a variety of contact sports and I am wondering what is the likelihood that a calf implant will burst from a heavy impact, or if pressure is applied to it for a long period of time (such as in a jiu-jitsu match)?

Marc DuPéré, MD · Answer

In North America, calf implants are made of solid, yet soft, silicone implant (unlike other parts of the world where they use gel, similar to breast implants).  Therefore, they cannot burst.  In theory, they could break - or fracture - with an incredible blow to them, yet I have never seen it.  They are made to undergo physical stress of day-to-day sporting activities.  I use various shapes of soft-solid (ie non-gel) silicone implants and each model comes in various sizes.  I choose the implants based on the patient's anatomy and his desired 'look':  The implants are placed under the FASCIA of the original calf muscle (usually the inner part of that muscle). The procedure is performed in a fully-accredited surgi-center, with board-certified anesthesiologists, under general anesthesia.  Cost is 9000$ + taxes, and it includes everything from the surgical fees, the facility, the implants, nurses and anesthesiologists.  I learned the technique from the pioneer of calf implant, who is a Canadian.  I have performed calf implantation for 6 years, approximately 1-2 per month. Hope this helps!  Dr. Marc DuPere, Board-certified Plastic Surgeon, Toronto, Canada  416.929.9800  visageclinic.com  dupere@visageclinic.com

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

As noted by all of my colleagues, calf implants are solid silicone, and cannot rupture or leak. The newest type of silicone gel breast implants are cohesive (soft solid) and cannot leak or rupture, and the implants used in calf augmentation, pec enlargement, etc. are even more firm and "rubbery" than these soft breast implants. Any blow or pressure that your body can withstand will not damage your calf implants, but could, of course, damage your tissues, causing muscle rupture, bleeding, or in rare cases of extreme force, displace your implant by rupturing the scar that holds the implant(s) in their proper position. Proper position of the implants (2 per side, one for each head of the gastrocnemius muscle they are augmenting) below the fascia holds them in place when healed. Too much activity (or too strenuous) too soon can cause problems. Follow your advised restrictions, especially elastic leg support while healing to avoid fluid accumulation. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Calf implants are made of solid silicone.  They cannot rupture.  A silicone breast implant is rubberized silicone polymer housing a shorter chain silicone gel polymer.  With enough pressure it can rupture.

Carlos Cordoba, MD · Answer

The solid silicone calf implant should withstand  heavy impacts, and prolonged applied pressure. It will not readily rupture.

	Should you receive a sufficient amount of traumatic energy to rupture the implant, you will most likely have other extensive injuries to the lower leg as well.  Once implanted and healed you will have no restrictions to any physical activity.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

Calf implants are made of solid silicone (as opposed to breast implants which have a thin shell with a gel inside. The force required to break one would be so great that it would damage the muscles and bone also. You should be OK with contact sports.

How Much Pressure Will Burst a Calf Implant?

Answers (9)

Answer: CALF AUGMENTATION WITH SILICONE IMPLANTS WILL NOT READILY RUPTURE

Answer: CALF AUGMENTATION WITH SILICONE IMPLANTS WILL NOT READILY RUPTURE

Answer: Durable calf implants

Answer: Durable calf implants

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Everything you need to know about Calf Implant

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How Much Pressure Will Burst a Calf Implant?

Answers (9)

Answer: CALF AUGMENTATION WITH SILICONE IMPLANTS WILL NOT READILY RUPTURE

Answer: CALF AUGMENTATION WITH SILICONE IMPLANTS WILL NOT READILY RUPTURE

Answer: Durable calf implants

Answer: Durable calf implants

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Calf Implant

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