If you’ve recently discovered or suspect that one of your breast implants has ruptured, your first reaction may be to panic. However, while a ruptured breast implant can be concerning, it isn’t life-threatening and typically doesn’t require emergency medical care. A ruptured breast implant is not considered fatal and is not known to directly cause death; however, that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. A ruptured implant can cause changes in the look and feel of your breasts, as well as discomfort, inflammation, and other complications, and it always requires surgery to address it.
In this blog, we’ll go over some of the causes and symptoms of breast implant ruptures so that you know what to do if it happens to you.
6 Min Read:
Table of Contents
- What Causes a Breast Implant to Rupture?
- Is a Ruptured Breast Implant Dangerous?
- Signs of a Ruptured Saline Implant
- Signs of a Ruptured Silicone Implant
- What to Do If Your Breast Implant Ruptures
What Causes a Breast Implant to Rupture?
Modern breast implants are designed to be extremely durable, but they are not intended to last forever. Over time, the outer shell can weaken, increasing the likelihood of a rupture. While today’s implants are stronger than ever before, several factors can contribute to implant failure.
One of the most common causes of an implant leak or rupture is the natural aging of the breast implant. The longer an implant has been in place, the more wear and tear it experiences from everyday movement and your body’s natural processes.
Other potential causes of implant failure include:
- Trauma to the chest, such as a car accident or significant impact
- Damage during a breast procedure or biopsy
- Capsular contracture placing excessive pressure on the implant
- Manufacturing defects (though these are uncommon)
- Excessive compression or force applied to the breast
- Normal deterioration of the implant shell over several years
Although many implants will remain intact for well over a decade, it’s important to understand that they are not lifetime devices. Regular follow-up appointments and imaging when recommended can help detect problems before they become more serious.
Is a Ruptured Breast Implant Dangerous?
While a ruptured breast implant is generally not life-threatening, it should still be taken seriously. The health implications of a rupture depend mostly on the type of implant you have.
When a saline implant ruptures, the sterile saltwater solution inside simply leaks into the surrounding tissues and is then safely absorbed by your body. The rupture itself typically doesn’t pose a health risk, although the affected breast will lose volume and will require implant replacement if you wish to restore its appearance, or removal of the silicone shell if you do not want it replaced.
Silicone implant ruptures are different. The silicone gel usually remains inside the scar tissue capsule that naturally forms around the implant after your initial breast augmentation, which is why many patients experience what’s known as a “silent rupture.” Because the gel often doesn’t leak far beyond the capsule, you may not notice any immediate symptoms.
However, even though the silicone gel in your implant is designed to remain cohesive, leaving a ruptured implant untreated may increase the risk of complications, such as:
- Breast pain or tenderness
- Capsular contracture
- Changes in breast shape
- Inflammation
- Thickening of surrounding scar tissue
- Silicone migration outside the capsule
For these reasons, it is essential that you remove or replace your ruptured implant once the diagnosis has been confirmed.
Signs of a Ruptured Saline Implant
Saline implant ruptures are usually easy to recognize because the changes are visible and happen relatively quickly. As the saline solution escapes through the tear in the implant shell, the affected breast loses volume (gradually or suddenly).
Common signs of a ruptured saline implant include:
- A breast that appears noticeably smaller
- Deflation over several hours or days
- Changes in breast shape
- Increased asymmetry between your breasts
- Implant wrinkling or folding
- A softer-feeling breast
Because your body harmlessly absorbs the saline solution, the primary concern of a ruptured saline implant is restoring the appearance of your breast through implant replacement or revision.
Signs of a Ruptured Silicone Implant
Silicone implant ruptures can be much more difficult to detect because the highly cohesive silicone gel often remains within the implant capsule. Many patients have no obvious symptoms when their silicone implant ruptures (which is why it’s often called a “silent” rupture). For this reason, it is recommended that you undergo routine imaging beginning around five years after your initial surgery, with repeat imaging every two to three years thereafter.
When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Breast firmness or hardening
- New breast pain or tenderness
- Changes in breast shape or contour
- Swelling
- Lumps in the breast or underarm
- Capsular contracture
- Changes in implant position
If Dr. Paydar suspects a silicone rupture, an MRI or high-resolution ultrasound will likely be performed to confirm his diagnosis and help determine next steps for treatment.
What to Do If Your Breast Implant Ruptures
If you think your breast implant has ruptured, try not to panic. Again, although the situation should be evaluated promptly, it is rarely considered a medical emergency. Contact Dr. Paydar as soon as possible to schedule an examination. During your visit, he will assess your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and recommend any necessary imaging to confirm whether a rupture has indeed occurred.
Once your implant rupture has been diagnosed, Dr. Paydar will likely recommend that you undergo breast revision surgery, where he will remove the damaged implant and address any surrounding scar tissue or changes caused by the rupture. For silicone implants that are ruptured, he will perform total capsulectomy or possibly en bloc capsulectomy if indicated and if it’s safe to do so in the given individual. Depending on your goals, your breast revision procedure may include replacing the implant with a new one, changing the implant size or type, or combining implant exchange with a breast lift for improved shape and symmetry. The revision plan Dr. Paydar develops will include treatment options tailored to your specific goals and overall breast health.
Schedule Your Breast Revision Consultation in Newport Beach Today
If you suspect your breast implant has ruptured, prompt treatment can help prevent additional complications while restoring the appearance, comfort, and confidence you enjoyed before the rupture occurred. Even though a ruptured breast implant is not fatal, addressing it sooner rather than later is the best way to protect your long-term results and your overall breast health. To learn more, schedule a consultation today with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Keyian Paydar by calling (949) 755-0575 or by completing our online contact form.
