Ruptured Breast Implants: 12 Frequently Asked Questions

Posted On: July 31, 2026 Author: The Office of Dr. Stuart Linder Posted In: Ruptured Implant

A breast implant rupture is associated with the loss of valve integrity or saline or silicone implant shell stability. The signs and diagnosis can differ depending on whether you have saline or silicone implants.

Table of Contents

1. What Is a Breast Implant Rupture?
2. What Are the Signs of a Ruptured Saline Breast Implant?
3. What Are the Signs of a Ruptured Silicone Breast Implant?
4. Can a Silicone Breast Implant Rupture Without Causing Symptoms?
5. How Is a Breast Implant Rupture Diagnosed?
6. What Causes a Breast Implant to Rupture?
7. Is a Ruptured Breast Implant an Emergency?
8. Can a Ruptured Breast Implant Cause Health Problems?
9. Can a Ruptured Implant Cause Lymphatic Spread?
10. Can a Ruptured Implant Cause Fibromyalgia?
11. If One Breast Implant Ruptures, Do I Need Implant Removal or Replacement for Both?
12. What Is Recovery Like After Ruptured Breast Implant Surgery?

1. What Is a Breast Implant Rupture?

A breast implant rupture occurs when the valve or shell of saline and silicone implants loses its integrity.

When a saline implant ruptures, the water or normal saline solution within the affected breast implant empties. This causes the implant to lose its shape and volume, making the rupture very obvious during a clinical diagnosis.

Most silicone implant ruptures can be more difficult to detect because it may be a silent rupture. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or ultrasound breast imaging may be required to look for a linguine sign, which shows a loss of integrity of the silicone implant shell.

2. What Are the Signs of a Ruptured Saline Breast Implant?

I can normally diagnose a ruptured saline breast implant clinically.

The signs include:

• Loss of volume
• Loss of breast shape
• A decrease in breast size
• Asymmetry compared with the contralateral breast

3. What Are the Signs of a Ruptured Silicone Breast Implant?

A ruptured silicone breast implant can sometimes be obvious, especially with older implants.

I may see a superior elevation of the implant with severe scar tissue formation and disfigurement of the breast. These changes can be consistent with a ruptured silicone implant.

However, the rupture may be silent or symptomless. In these cases, I may require an MRI to determine whether the integrity of the implant shell has been compromised.

4. Can a Silicone Breast Implant Rupture Without Causing Symptoms?

Yes. Silicone breast implants may rupture without noticeable symptoms. I see this especially in patients who do not have signs of breast pain but have implants that are more than 20 years old.

However, patients may discover a calcified granuloma, hardening, or elevation of the implant associated with Baker Grade IV capsular contracture. This hardening may lead to disfigurement and pain during palpation.

5. How Is a Breast Implant Rupture Diagnosed?

I diagnose ruptured saline implants clinically. The rupture is normally quite obvious because the implant shows asymmetry, loss of volume, and loss of integrity.

Silicone gel implant ruptures can be more difficult to diagnose because they may be silent. An MRI may be required to determine whether the integrity of the implant shell has been compromised.

6. What Causes a Breast Implant to Rupture?

A traumatic injury can cause a breast implant to rupture. An implant may also rupture over time because of degradation of the implant shell, whether the implant is saline or silicone.

7. Is a Ruptured Breast Implant an Emergency?

I do not consider a ruptured breast implant an emergency, but there is an urgency to removing a ruptured silicone implant. I prefer to remove the implant while the silicone remains intracapsular within the implant pocket.

This may help prevent it from becoming an extracapsular rupture, with silicone migrating through the implant capsule into the surrounding breast tissue and lymph nodes.

8. Can a Ruptured Breast Implant Cause Health Problems?

I consider this very controversial. Ruptured silicone implants have been thought to cause autoimmune issues, including systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, there is no conclusive evidence that this is true.

9. Can a Ruptured Implant Cause Lymphatic Spread?

Yes.

10. Can a Ruptured Implant Cause Fibromyalgia?

I consider this indeterminate.

11. If One Breast Implant Ruptures, Do I Need Implant Removal or Replacement for Both?

If the implant on the contralateral side is less than 5 years old, I do not necessarily have to perform surgical removal in my practice.

However, if the implants are more than 7, 10, or 15 years old and one is ruptured, I normally prefer to replace both implants at the same time.

12. What Is Recovery Like After Ruptured Breast Implant Surgery?

I normally find that revision surgery is much less painful than primary breast augmentation. My patients usually take fewer pain medications during revision recovery, especially compared with a primary subpectoral augmentation.

Recovery is normally 4 to 6 weeks. I provide antibiotics for 1 week. Ice and compresses are very useful during the first 72 hours. Pain medication may be used as necessary, but it is usually less necessary than during the primary surgical procedure.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Stuart Linder in Beverly Hills, CA

If you are looking to know more about ruptured breast implants, schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Stuart Linder. Contact Dr. Stuart Linder’s office today by calling (310) 275-4513 or completing the contact form.