A retrospective review by Marques et al 8 found that patients who are 54 years old and beyond are at risk for capsular contracture.
Patients who are prone to developing thick scar tissue or have a family history of autoimmune disease may be at a heightened risk of capsular contracture.
Generally, capsular contracture occurs during the healing process. About 75% of all capsular contractures will occur within two years of the patient's implants being placed. Sometimes capsular contractures occur many years after breast augmentation surgery, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
If you choose completely submuscular placement, you'll only face a 4 to 8% lifetime risk of capsular contracture. However, even if you choose over-the-muscle placement, the lifetime risk of capsular contracture is a relatively low 12 to 18%.
Capsular contracture is caused by an excessive fibrotic reaction to a foreign body (the implant) and has an overall incidence of 10.6%.
Early signs of capsular contracture may include a firm or tight sensation, pain, or asymmetry. As the condition worsens, you may notice more obvious symptoms, including: Breast pain. Asymmetry.
Sometimes, the capsule tightens over time in a condition known as capsular contracture. To prevent this condition, the plastic surgeon will likely instruct the patient to perform a daily breast massage in the initial few months after their augmentation procedure.
When patients hear about capsular contracture, one of the first things they want to know is how soon this condition can occur. The simple truth is that this condition can develop at any time after having breast implant surgery.
Capsular contracture can be treated and is not life-threatening. Nevertheless, if it's not treated, the scar tissue will likely progress to become more hard, tight, and in some cases, painful. It can eventually lead to deformed breasts in those who have had breast augmentations.
Capsular contracture can occur at any point after breast augmentation and without any warning. Most cases are likely to take place within the first two years after breast augmentation.
Some individuals are more prone to developing capsular contracture than others. There is some evidence that if you have had capsular contracture with breast implants, this may recur with replacement as this is the way your body deals with foreign objects.
Capsular contracture after augmentation mammoplasty occurs at a rate of 15% to 45%.
This capsule, made of primarily of collagen, can contain some scar tissue which, over time, may harden and squeeze the implant. This condition, known as capsular contracture, can produce discomfort and can alter the appearance of your breasts.
Abstract. Capsular contracture remains a common and preventable complication of implanted breast prostheses.
Various breast massage and implant displacement techniques are believed to reduce the incidence of capsular contracture and are commonly recommended after breast augmentation.
Zafirlukast (Accolate)
Accolate has also been shown to decrease the recurrence of capsular contracture in patients undergoing capsulectomy. If you have a capsular contracture, most plastic surgeons will most likely recommend a trial of Accolate before considering surgical intervention.
Some surgeons or medical professionals recommend additional techniques for minimizing your risk of getting capsular contracture: Avoid vigorous activity for the first several weeks of your recovery. Strenuous exercise can increase your blood pressure, raise your heart rate and cause bleeding around your new implants.
Can Capsular Contracture Go Away by Itself? Because capsular contracture is the result of excessive scar tissue around the implants, it does not go away on its own. Your symptoms may plateau or continue to worsen. The risk of capsular contracture is that the breast implant may rupture or leak.
The primary indication of capsular contracture is an increasing tightness of the breast. The breast implants seem to be high-riding on the chest, much more than earlier. The breast implant is distorted and may appear round or “ball-like.” Noticeable rippling may occur as well.
The only effective treatment for capsular contracture is currently capsulotomy or capsulectomy with implant removal or a change in the plane of insertion.
3. Vitamin E 800-1200 mg a day. This is believed to interfere with the formation of collagen and thus, soften scar tissue and prevent contracture. There is no proven efficacy once capsular contracture is established.
Capsular Contracture: Heavy activity before you have healed enough from breast augmentation can cause capsular contracture, an uncomfortable condition that can only be corrected with surgery.
There are several signs that can indicate the development of capsular contracture. These include changes in the shape or position of the implant, hardening of the implant, pain or tenderness, and visible rippling. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to seek medical advice as soon as possible.
The reality is, it still happened regardless of what you do, and massaging the breast too much can make the pocket so large that the implants fall into the arm pit. Furthermore, excess massaging may increase the risk of capsular contracture by causing micro tears in the soft capsule.