Could I Have Ruptured a Breast Implant Following Pneumonia? Experiencing Burning And Sharp Pain.

Thank you for the question.

Given  description of “severe burning"  and “extreme sharp pain” you should be evaluated by a physician ASAP.

Also given your history, it is most likely that what you are experiencing is musculoskeletal pain ( for example after severe coughing with  pneumonia).  Rupture of a breast implant would be  evident clinically (if saline)  or may require evaluation with MRI (if  silicone).

I hope this helps.

If a breast implant is saline and develops a leak or ruptures, it will deflate rapidly, within 24 hours, and become very noticeably flat!  If the the implant is silicone, it will not deflate, but may become distorted in appearance.  Pain has NOT been associated with implant rupture.  

A very common condition that occurs with breast implants that does cause pain is COSTOCHONDRITIS.   Think of costochondritis like "tennis elbow" of the ribs.  It is an inflammation (not an infection) of the joint of the ribs where the cartilage and bone are joined together.  There is movement, however slight, of the ribs when we breathe in to allow our lungs to expand and to collapse when we exhale.  If there is a lot of motion at the rib junction, it will cause inflammation and pain.  This is very common in people with pneumonia or other conditions that cause a lot of coughing.  If you take a breast implant and rub in over this junction, it will only exacerbate the problem.  This is why you are having pain.  The treatment for tennis elbow and costochondritis are the same:


Analgesic medication

Anti-inflammatory medication

Immobilization


I usually recommend a prescription anti-inflammatory medication for 2 weeks taken round the clock and repeat for another 2 weeks if no improvement.  Over the counter analgesics usually work well, narcotics are rarely needed.  The most difficult treatment  to follow is the immobilization.  If it is your elbow, just put it in a sling for 2 weeks, but how do you put your ribs in a sling?  Well, you can't.  So, you need to restrict all your activity on the involved side that uses your chest muscles; lifting, pulling, stretching, mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, etc.  Wear a good supportive bra, day and night for 2 weeks.  Maybe even taking some medication to decrease your coughing, if present.  The symptoms should subside in 2 weeks, if not, repeat again for another 2 weeks.

Remember your breast implants are sitting right on top of your ribs, so the irritation may re-occur.  If it becomes unbearable you may have to consider removing your implants.

Good Luck!