Capsular contracture suddenly gone after a really hard fall. What happened?

Based upon your history, you may have performed your own "closed capsulotomy".  In other words, you hit the breast hard enough to tear the scar capsule, providing more space for the implant and making it feel softer.  Closed capsulotomy used to be a common in-office procedure performed by plastic surgeons to treat capsular contracture.  The problem with the procedure is that the force required to tear the scar capsule may be great enough to also tear the shell of the implant.If you have silicone implants you may wish to discuss obtaining an MRI with your surgeon, to confirm that your implant is still intact.Best wishes.

Dear corthomp,it is hard to tell for sure without an examination, but based on your description it sounds like your fall probably caused rupture of capsule. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment. Only after thorough examination you can get proper recommendations and advice.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

It sounds like you might have treated yourself to a "closed capsulotomy".  Surgeons used to commonly do this in the office by squeezing the implant firmly to try to break the capsule/scar tissue.  You should see your plastic surgeon to make sure everything is ok, sometimes trauma can cause bleeding or fluid to collect around the implant -- but hopefully your fall actually did something good for your breast!Best wishes,Michelle Spring, MD

In the old days with capsular contracture, surgeons used to very forcefully press on implants to manually break the capsule. That may have been what you did when you took a hard fall. Of course, we don't do such forceful maneuvers on implants any more for risk of rupture. Sounds like you are doing better now, but there's a chance your capsule could return. Also good to check in with you plastic surgeon to make sure your implants are ok.

I'm sorry to hear about the trauma you experienced.  Based on your description, it sounds like your fall caused the thickened capsule around the breast implant to break,  thereby leading to a softening of the overall breast.  You may wish to have an MRI study performed to rule out rupture of the underlying silicone gel breast implant. Best wishes.