Do I need to be concerned about my silcone implant having ruptured?

Question

I fell on my left side last night. I have alot of tenderness under my left breast implant. My breast implant seems ok, but I am concerned I may have broken a rib. Could the implant rupture from a fall?

Carlos Mata, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Hi leslie,Thank you for your question. Although rare, it is possible to rupture an implant with trauma such as a fall especially if the implant is older. I recommend being evaluated by a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in dealing with a ruptured implants. It would be a lot more likely to have a ruptured implant if you did fracture rib which then punctured your silicone implant. MRI is the most specific in telling you if you have a ruptured implant but it can be an expensive test. Sometimes a simple in office ultrasounds can also tell if an implant is ruptured and is more cost-effective. Good luckAll the best,Carlos Mata MD, MBA,FACSBoard-certified plastic surgeon

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

then see your plastic surgeon for an exam to see if the implant is appreciable.  If it is, its unlikely your ruptured it with your fall.  If it cannot be felt, then you could either confirm with MRI or plan explant if you're accepting of the change that an intact implant may be found.

Asaf Yalif, MD, FACS · Answer

While very uncommon it is possible to have an implant rupture from a fall. If possible I would go back to the surgeon who performed your original procedure to be seen and evaluated.

Richard J. Brown, MD · Answer

If you strike the ground hard enough can rupture an implant. Though this is very unlikely it can happen. I would go see your surgeon and let them evaluate you and if you guys really feel it is ruptured then you may need an MRI to confirm that. It would be rare but anything can happen. It also depends on the age of the implant. If it is older with a weaker shell it will rupture easier.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

If the fall is hard enough to suspect a fracture rib then the force may rupture the implant. Also the age of the implant may play a role.Best to see you doctor and if any suspicion then an MRI would be best to make the diagnosis

Robert Whitfield, MD · Answer

Typically a fall is not enough to cause an injury to shell of the implant itself.  This can happen in a cause accident when the seat belt comes across your chest applies pressure to the implant in an accident.

Do I need to be concerned about my silcone implant having ruptured?

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