Can Ski Accident Rupture Breast Implant?

Question

Broke my arm skiing. Should I get implants checked? What symptoms would be if they are leaking? (silicone)

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

If there is no evidence of injury to your breasts like bruising, pain, swelling then it is very unlikely that your implants are injured. See your plastic surgeon to be sure if you have these symptoms.

Dev Wali, MD · Answer

It is not easy to tell if a silicone implant is ruptured. Unlike a saline implant which will deflate like a flat tire silicone implants can feel unchanged and still be leaking. The best option is to be evaluated by your plastic surgeon who put the implants in. You may need a MRI or breast ultrasound if there is concern for silicone leakage.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

On rare instances, I have seen trauma rupture implants such as a hard fall while roller blading. You should schedule an appointment with your plastic surgeon and consider an out of pocket payment for a MRI evaluationof implant integrity or lack of it.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.Based on the description of the “trauma”  and the fact (presumably) that your breast  exam remains unchanged,  it is very unlikely that any harm was done by the adjustment.  In general, it would take significantly more force to cause breast implant rupture. Of course, for real peace of mind direct examination by your plastic surgeon (and possibly MRI study) will be necessary.Best wishes.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

Breast Implants are quite resilient and will tolerate relatively large compression and decompression forces. With time all implants' shells weaken and eventually will leak. If your implants were older, there would be a higher likelihood of the fall resulting in implant failure.  The BEST way to diagnose a leaking silicone gel breast implant failure is with a MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan.

Massud Hosseini, MD · Answer

Cohesive implants are very strong and can not rupture easily, even not by a ski accident, it depends however how old they are, if there is sign of capsula fibrosis and the placement of the implants ( under or behave of the muscle ). Sometimes they can displace, in this case the bearst shape might change. Just let them check, ultrasound or MRI.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

Saline implants will deflate fully if ruptured during the accident. If you have silicone gel implants and worried about them, please see your surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

If you took a big hit to the chest when you feel, you may want to get them evaluated. If they are saline they would deflate if there was a problem.  The gels are tougher to appreciate for rupture.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD (retired) · Answer

It is unlikely that a fall skiing would cause an implant rupture.

	If the implants are older and you had a capsule contracture, rupture is more likely than if your implants are newer and soft and mobile.

	Follow up with your plastic surgeon and consider an MRI to look for an implant rupture.

William F. DeLuca Jr, MD (retired) · Answer

It depends. If your implants are older, then it is certainly not unreasonable to have them evaluated and that would entail an MRI. The shell on the newer cohesive gel implants is much stronger and designed to absorb a significant amount of trauma. Again leakage would be very difficult to diagnose without an MRI. If your breasts are without pain and there is no distortion, then the likelihood of rupture is again, quite low. The most common sign of leakage, particularly in the older implants, would be the development of a capsule and malformation to the breast (but that would not develop immediately after a skiing accident) so your safest bet is to call your surgeon and schedule an MRI.

Can Ski Accident Rupture Breast Implant?

Answers (11)

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