Could my silicone nose implant be the cause of my facial pains? (Photo)

Question

I had the rhinoplasty last 2012. Went on without any pain. Then late 2016, I began experiencing facial pains, specifically on my nose, forehead, etc. daily. Ive been taking nerve pain meds since then to control the pain but i still feel some. I went to an ENT and he said my sinuses were very red (swolllen?). Dont know the cause. I had a CT scan and nothing there was the cause too. Now im thinking if the implant could be causing the pain? Maybe it has become infected? Thanks in advance.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

If the implant itself is non-tender, this may not be the cause of your pain. If touching the implant does replicate pain, you should consult with your surgeon about removing it. I Hope this is helpful. Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

If you underwent rhinoplasty in 2012 and are experiencing facial pain in the nose, several factors could be causing the discomfort, including infection or sinus-related problems. It's important to note that not all issues may be visible on a CT scan. Therefore, if you are experiencing unusual pain, it is highly recommended to seek medical attention for proper evaluation and management.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

You have a slowly brewing infection based on your red nose and history of chronic pain. The sooner you remove the implant the better; infections like this slowly thin your tissues and will eventually lead to an extrusion of your implant either internally through nasal mucosa or externally through your skin. You'll need a surgery where your own cartilage can be taken from a rib and can immediately replace the implant.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Your nose looks inflamed. Is it caused by the implant? The only want to know would be to remove the implant. It looks like you are better off without it anyway

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photographs, it is difficult to know if the silicone implant is the source of your pain. It is possible to have pain due to mobilization of the implant, malposition of the implant, and infection or extrusion of the implant. I never place silicone implants and would recommend removing it. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Shabnam Ghazizadeh, MD · Answer

Hi @questionandanser, Yes it is possible for implants to become infected or cause facial pain. I recommend a consultation with a rhinoplasty specialist to see if you could benefit from removing the implant and replacing it with rib cartilage. Best of luck, Dr. Ghazizadeh

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