Hurt muscle, lung, rib or breast? Hurts to take deep breathes in and out only on the left side, from having back popped.

Question

A very large man picked me up and squeezed me really hard to crack my back, horrible idea now I'm in sever pain in only the left side of my upper muscle above my breast. Hurts to breathe and it's very sore when I push on that area of muscle. The pain was immediate. What happened? I also have breast implants. Using heat and took ibuprofen. Not sure if it's my muscle or my lung or implant what's causing this pain only in the left side so strange. What to do?

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Your implants are extremely durable, much more so than you and your own tissues. One of the demonstrations I perform for my breast augmentation patients is to throw a cohesive silicone implant on the floor as hard as I can (no 97mph fastball, but still a pretty good throw), and then I stand (actually, stomp) on the implant. I haven't ruptured one yet, and although theoretically possible, if I did that to a human being they would sustain severe injury. Like rib fractures.I suspect that my colleagues who have suggested possible rib fracture are correct. If there is no swelling, bruising, or other change in your breast appearance/feel, there is very little worry about your breast, and not too much concern about your soft tissues either. I'm sure the tissues over the rib fracture or crack are tender!But with severe instant pain, I would be most concerned about rib fracture. Ibuprofen can worsen periosteal bleeding or muscular bruising, though it is a good anti-inflammatory. I'd suggest Tylenol, however, as this drug will not increase bleeding/bruising but will help with discomfort.The politically correct suggestion is for you to see a physician, who can verify the physical findings I have outlined above, order expensive scans, and end up telling you your implant looks fine and you will heal--here's some pain medication. Or you could obtain a scan that has a 21% false positive rate that says you have a ruptured implant, and then you have to decide if you want your surgeon to open up your breast and check it out under direct vision. (If you went this route, I will bet you a can of pop your implant is absolutely fine--I drink Diet Dew). Treat the discomfort with Celebrex (prescription) and see your doctor if pain persists/worsens, or if you become short of breath. Fractured ribs can puncture lungs. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

A very large man picked me up and squeezed
  me really hard to crack my back, horrible idea...
  You may have caused a capsular and/or implant rupture or
  more seriously fractured your ribs. See you plastic surgeon to orchestrate
  your evaluation and what tests should be done

Mark Crispin, MD · Answer

Your implants are not likely to be ruptured.  The pain more likely describes a rib fracture or muscle tear (hematoma).  Your plastic surgeon should be able to determine the answer.

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

It sounds like you may have broken a rib. You should go to an ER or to your doctor for evaluation and a Chest Xray. If this is negative, I would recommend you see a plastic surgeon to assess your implants - if the implants are saline, if they are injured they would deflate. Good luck!

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

I doubt that this is your implant. Either you have strained a muscle or injured a rib. I would get an evaluation by your plastic surgeon and your primary care physician.

Hurt muscle, lung, rib or breast? Hurts to take deep breathes in and out only on the left side, from having back popped.

Answers (8)

Answer: Chest trauma from bear hug, and history of BA

Answer: Chest trauma from bear hug, and history of BA

Answer: Not your implant

Answer: Not your implant

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.

Hurt muscle, lung, rib or breast? Hurts to take deep breathes in and out only on the left side, from having back popped.

Answers (8)

Answer: Chest trauma from bear hug, and history of BA

Answer: Chest trauma from bear hug, and history of BA

Answer: Not your implant

Answer: Not your implant

Browse related questions

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.