What is a silicone implant rupture?

Silicone breast implants consist of a silicone outer shell filled with silicone gel. Over time, the shell can develop a tear or hole, allowing the gel to leak. Unlike saline implants, where a rupture causes the breast to deflate rapidly and visibly, silicone implant ruptures can be far more difficult to detect.

When a silicone implant ruptures, the gel may remain contained within the scar tissue that forms around the implant. This is known as an intracapsular rupture. Alternatively, the silicone gel can migrate beyond the capsule into surrounding tissues, which is referred to as an extracapsular rupture. The latter carries a higher risk of long-term complications.

Silicone breast implants are not considered lifetime devices. The longer implants remain in the body, the greater the likelihood of implant rupture, wear or other complications. This is why ongoing monitoring is so important.

What are the signs of a silicone implant rupture?

One of the most concerning aspects of silicone implant ruptures is that they frequently produce no immediate noticeable symptoms. This is referred to as a silent rupture. When symptoms do occur, they typically develop slowly over months or years, which means many people are unaware their implant has leaked.

Changes in breast shape and appearance

One of the earliest signs of a silicone implant rupture is an alteration in the appearance of the affected breast. The breast may appear uneven, smaller or misshapen, reflecting the slow leakage of gel from the implant. These changes in breast shape can be subtle at first and may gradually become more pronounced.

Pain, swelling and firmness

A ruptured silicone implant can cause discomfort ranging from mild tenderness to persistent breast pain. Swelling around the implant is also commonly reported, and in some cases firmness develops as the body responds to the presence of leaked silicone gel. Signs of a ruptured implant can include changes in breast shape and size, increasing pain, firmness and swelling developing over a period of weeks.

Capsular contracture

When the body reacts to a silicone implant rupture, it may form excessive, hardened scar tissue around the implant. This is known as capsular contracture, and it can make the breast feel tight, firm or painful. Capsular contracture can arise as a direct complication of rupture and may require further surgery to correct.

Silent rupture and the importance of screening

Because a silent rupture can occur without any noticeable symptoms, many people live with a ruptured implant for months or even years without knowing. The FDA recommends that people with silicone breast implants undergo MRI screenings for silent ruptures three years after implantation and every two years thereafter. Ultrasound is also used in some cases, though MRI is considered the more reliable imaging method.

What are the health risks of a silicone implant rupture?

When silicone gel escapes from a ruptured implant, a range of potential complications can follow. The nature and severity of these risks depends on whether the rupture is intracapsular or extracapsular, how long the rupture has gone undetected and how the individual's body responds.

Silicone granulomas

Leaked silicone can trigger an immune response, causing the body to form small lumps known as silicone granulomas. These can be felt in the breast or armpit and may contribute to localised swelling and discomfort. The presence of granulomas in the surrounding tissues is one indication that gel migration has occurred.

Systemic symptoms and breast implant illness

Silicone implant ruptures have been associated with a range of systemic symptoms that some researchers and clinicians refer to collectively as breast implant illness (BII). Symptoms linked to breast implant illness may include chronic fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, skin rashes and difficulties with immune function. The relationship between ruptured silicone implants and these systemic symptoms continues to be researched, and the connection is not yet fully established in clinical literature.

Some people also report symptoms resembling autoimmune disorders following a rupture, including fatigue, memory loss and inflammatory response. It is worth noting that current research suggests ruptured silicone implants do not cause breast cancer, reproductive problems or established connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, this does not diminish the lived experience of people who report significant health problems after a rupture.

Long-term complications from delayed removal

If a ruptured implant is not removed promptly, the risks of further complications increase. Gel migration can spread into surrounding tissues beyond the capsule, making removal more involved. Capsular contracture can worsen significantly over time, and the inflammatory response can become more entrenched. Where a ruptured implant is left in place due to missed diagnosis or inadequate follow-up care, the long-term consequences for the patient can be considerable.

What should you do if you suspect a rupture?

If you suspect your silicone implant has ruptured, it is important to contact your plastic surgeon as soon as possible for an evaluation. Early assessment helps establish whether a rupture has occurred and allows appropriate steps to be taken.

Diagnostic imaging, typically MRI or ultrasound, will usually be recommended to confirm the status of the implant. If a rupture is confirmed, the implant should be removed as soon as possible to reduce the risk of further complications such as gel migration and progressive capsular contracture.

Depending on your circumstances, replacement implants may be an option at the same surgery, though this is a decision that should be made in careful consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon.

When does a silicone implant rupture become a legal matter?

Not every breast implant rupture will give rise to a compensation claim. Implants can rupture for reasons unrelated to any failing on the part of the surgeon or clinic. However, there are circumstances in which a rupture, or the harm arising from it, may reflect a breach of the duty of care owed to you.

Signs that negligence may be involved

Your surgeon and the clinic responsible for your care have a duty of care at every stage, including before surgery, during the procedure itself and throughout your aftercare. A failure at any of these stages can cause or contribute to avoidable harm.

Potential indicators of negligence connected to a silicone implant rupture may include:

• Failure to carry out adequate pre-surgical assessment to establish your suitability for the procedure
• Use of implants that were defective, unsuitable or not fit for purpose
• Surgical errors during implantation that compromised the integrity of the implant
• Failure to provide appropriate aftercare or monitoring following surgery
• Failure to inform you of the warning signs of rupture or the need for regular screening
• Dismissal or inadequate response when you reported symptoms of a suspected rupture
• Delayed diagnosis that allowed the rupture to go undetected and caused additional harm

Informed consent

Before any cosmetic procedure, your surgeon is obliged to explain the risks involved and obtain your informed consent. If you were not properly informed about the risk of implant rupture, the possibility of silent rupture, or the importance of ongoing MRI screening, this may constitute a failure to obtain proper informed consent.

What compensation may cover

If negligence is established and you have experienced avoidable harm as a result, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Depending on the circumstances of your case, compensation may cover corrective surgery and breast implant removal, further treatment required as a result of the rupture, psychological support, loss of earnings, pain and suffering, travel and associated costs, and long-term care where required.

Every claim is assessed individually. The expert team at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors works with independent medical experts to build robust, evidence-based cases.