What Are the Dangers of Ruptured Silicone Breast Implants?

Once upon a time, the link of ruptured silicone implants and illnesses in women was high enough for the Food and Drug Administration to ban the use of silicone implants in 1992. Thousands of women were found to have contracted autoimmune diseases due to leakage of the silicone. Though the FDA reintroduced the use of silicone implants in 2006, many doctors still question the safety of their use as implants.

Possible Rupture

Since the FDA reinstated the use of silicone implants, it still remains uncertain if any possible harm could come from the implants if the gel leaks.

Detection

If a silicone implant ruptures, you may not be able to notice, and once a rupture is detected, multiple surgeries would be needed to remove all the contents. The gel from the silicone is viscou,s and because there is so much of it, surgery would be extensive.

Symptoms

If a silicone implant ruptures, you may experience swelling, numbness, burning, pain or knots within your breast, according to the FDA.

Toxic Shock Syndrome

Very rarely does Toxic Shock Syndrome occur, but when it does happen, a leakage can cause the breast to become infected with bacteria. Left untreated, a person can experience fever, chills, nausea/vomiting, seizures and possibly death.

Difficulty in Removal

Because it is difficult to notice when you have a ruptured silicone implant, it is important to get an MRI exam every two years, according to the Mayo Clinic. The reason is that if the implant ruptures and begins to move toward other parts of the body (such as the lungs), it becomes impossible to remove the gel contents.

Fibromyalgia

Some women who have had ruptured silicone implants have had symptoms of fibromyalgia (a condition with symptoms of muscle/joint pain, and severe fatigue).