Capsular contracture is a common complication following breast implant surgery. This condition involves the body’s natural healing process forming a scar tissue capsule around the implant. When this capsule abnormally tightens, it can lead to discomfort and changes in the breast’s appearance.
Understanding Capsular Contracture
When a foreign object, such as a breast implant, is placed inside the body, the immune system naturally forms a protective barrier of scar tissue around it. This process creates a fibrous capsule. In most instances, this capsule remains soft, thin, and unnoticeable, allowing the breast to feel natural.
However, in some individuals, this natural response becomes exaggerated. The scar tissue capsule can thicken and contract, squeezing the implant. This tightening, known as capsular contracture, causes the breast to become firm or hard. The condition can develop weeks, months, or even years after surgery, impacting one or both breasts.
The Nature of Pain in Capsular Contracture
The pain from capsular contracture varies, from mild to severe. Patients often describe the pain as a dull ache, throbbing, or sharp sensations. This discomfort can extend beyond the breast, sometimes radiating into the chest, shoulder, rib, or even down the arm.
The severity of pain can worsen with movement or pressure on the affected breast. Other symptoms include increased breast firmness or hardness. The breast may also appear distorted or unnaturally rounded, with the implant potentially sitting higher than normal. A tightening sensation, numbness, or heaviness in the breast are also commonly reported.
Why Capsular Contracture Causes Pain
The primary reason capsular contracture causes pain is the mechanical pressure exerted by the tightening capsule. As the fibrous tissue around the implant hardens and constricts, it compresses the implant and the surrounding breast tissues. This constant squeezing can put pressure on delicate nerves within the breast, leading to pain signals.
Inflammation also plays a role in generating pain. The body’s immune response to the implant can sometimes lead to chronic inflammation within the capsule. This ongoing inflammatory process contributes to the thickening and tightening of the capsule and can also trigger pain receptors. Factors like bacterial contamination or biofilm formation on the implant surface are believed to incite this inflammatory response, contributing to contracture and pain.
Managing Pain and Seeking Help
Individuals experiencing persistent pain or noticeable changes in their breast implants should consult a healthcare professional. Signs warranting medical attention include increasing pain severity, new or worsening breast firmness, or visible changes in breast shape or position. A plastic surgeon can typically diagnose capsular contracture through a physical examination, assessing the breast’s feel and appearance. Imaging tests, such as an MRI, may also provide further insight into the condition’s extent.
Initial approaches to managing mild pain may involve over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications. Some non-surgical methods, like massage or ultrasound therapy, are sometimes explored, particularly in early stages. However, for moderate to severe cases, or when pain significantly impacts daily life, definitive treatment often involves surgical intervention. Surgical options can include removing the hardened capsule (capsulectomy), releasing the tightened capsule (capsulotomy), or replacing the implant, to alleviate pressure and discomfort.