Can Breast Capsular Contracture Be Treated Without Surgery?

Yes, breast capsular contracture can be treated without surgery. For many women dealing with breast implant capsular contracture, revision surgery is not the only option and often not the best first step. Non-surgical treatment using therapeutic ultrasound has helped thousands of women across the United States break down hardened scar tissue, restore implant softness, and avoid going back to the operating room entirely.

But the fuller answer depends on your grade, your timing, and how far the condition has progressed. This article covers what causes breast implant capsular contracture, the signs to watch for, and exactly how it can be treated without surgery.

What Causes Breast Implant Capsular Contracture?

Breast capsular contracture occurs when the scar tissue that forms around an implant becomes thickened and tight. It is one of the most commonly reported complications associated with breast implants and breast augmentation procedures.

While the precise mechanism that triggers capsular contraction remains unclear, there are many possible risk factors associated with the development:

1. Bacterial contamination: All breast implant surgeries are performed in a relatively sterile environment. However, bacterial contamination may trigger an inflammatory response that can contribute to excessive breast implant scar tissue formation around the implant.
2. Hematoma or seroma: The presence of blood or fluid collections in close proximity to a breast implant during surgery creates conditions that promote excessive and rapid scar tissue formation in the area surrounding the implant.
3. Rupture or leak of the implant: If the implant leaks or ruptures, tissue around the implant responds more than usual. This leads to excessive scarring in the area.
4. Placement technique: Some studies suggest that implants placed above the chest muscle may have a higher risk of capsular contracture compared to implants placed beneath the muscle.
5. History of capsular contracture: Any woman who has had breast capsular contracture has significantly greater chances of developing another episode of capsular contracture with subsequent surgical procedures than a woman who has never suffered from capsular contracture. 
6. Genetic predisposition: Individual healing responses and genetic factors may influence a person’s tendency to develop excessive scar tissue or capsular contracture after breast augmentation.

What are the Signs of Capsular Contracture After Breast Augmentation?

One of the most critical factors for non-surgically treating someone with capsular contracture is when the condition is recognized at an early enough stage. The list below is a description of common signs to be on alert for:

• At least one breast has become firmer than it was a few months after your surgery
• The implants sit noticeably higher in the chest than they did before
• The breasts have developed an unnaturally round (basketball) shape vs a naturally shaped breast
• Visible distortion/asymmetry as compared to the opposite side
• Sustained feeling of tightness or pressure in the chest area, where there was initially little or no discomfort during your recovery period
• Sustained mild to moderate levels of discomfort/pain that become progressively worse throughout days/weeks.
• In more severe cases, a constant level of discomfort/pain involving the area surrounding the breast implants.

In addition to identifying the above variables, your doctor will also evaluate the severity of your capsular contracture using the Baker grading system:

In some patients, capsular contracture may worsen over time if left untreated. Early evaluation is important because treatment options may become more limited as the capsule becomes increasingly firm.

How do you treat a Capsular Contracture?

Capsular contracture of breast implants can be treated in two categories: surgical and non-surgical. Generally, many surgeons will recommend revision surgery as the default. However, for Grade II and Grade III cases, many non-surgical options are possible, and this is often the most prudent first course of treatment for these patients.

Surgical Treatment

Surgical treatment techniques to treat breast augmentation capsular contracture may consist of a capsulectomy (removing the scar capsule altogether) or capsulotomy (releasing the scar capsule). Both procedures require general anaesthesia, operating room use, and an extended period of restricted recovery.

Both procedures inherently have risks associated with them, including infection, rupture of the implant, bleeding, and complications associated with anaesthesia.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Non-surgical options for treating capsular contracture do not involve any type of cut or surgery; therefore, no general anesthetic is used, and there is no recovery time. The use of therapeutic ultrasound provides an alternative treatment by using sound energy waves to break down scar tissue around breast implants.

Therapeutic ultrasound uses sound wave energy that may help improve tissue mobility and support the remodeling of breast implant scar tissue.

The full procedure has three components:

• Therapeutic ultrasound is used to break down the scar capsule
• Licensed physical therapists use massage techniques and expand the implant pocket to reposition the implant
• A Custom-fitted compression garment is worn after each visit is complete to help hold the implant in place during treatment.

Many treatment protocols involve approximately 10 sessions for existing capsular contracture, although recommendations may vary depending on the individual case.

Non-Surgical Treatment vs. Surgery

Conclusion

Breast augmentation capsular contracture is one of the most common and most treatable complications after breast implant surgery, and surgery is not always the answer. For the right candidate, non-surgical capsular contracture treatment using therapeutic ultrasound offers a proven, painless, and genuinely effective path to treatment.

The sooner breast implant capsular contracture is addressed, the better non-surgical treatment works, and the lower the chance it progresses to a stage where surgery becomes unavoidable.

Visit Aspen After Surgery Center to schedule a virtual evaluation and find out if you are a candidate for non-surgical breast capsular contracture treatment. The sooner you start, the better your results will be.

FAQs

1. How often does capsular contracture happen after breast augmentation (implants)?

Capsular contracture is one of the most commonly reported breast augmentation complications. Every person who undergoes breast augmentation creates a natural scar capsule around their breast implants; however, only some of these people will experience capsular contracture.

2. Can capsular contracture be treated without surgery?

In some instances, capsular contracture of the breast may be managed with non-invasive measures. Some of the treatment options for capsular contracture breast implants include the use of therapeutic ultrasound, which can assist in breaking up and softening the scar tissue that formed around the breast implant.

3. What are the initial signs of capsular contracture of the breast after breast augmentation?

Some of the earliest signs of capsular contracture of the breast after breast augmentation (breast implants) are increased firmness, tightness surrounding the breast implant, alteration of the breast shape, elevation of the breast implant, and mild discomfort.

4. How long does capsular contracture take to show up?

Capsular Contracture after Breast Augmentation can generally occur in weeks, months, and sometimes even years after your procedure. Some women have signs of capsular contracture shortly after recovery from their surgery, while others will not experience signs until a much later date.

5. What causes scar tissue around breast implants to harden?

The scar tissue around breast implants can become firmer or develop capsular contracture due to the following reasons: Bacteria, bleeding around the implant, Fluid build-up or accumulation, Implant Rupture, Genetic predisposition, or Previous Capsular Contracture.

6. Is the only way to treat capsular contracture by having surgery?

Not necessarily. Although having surgery is still considered an option for many patients, it is also possible to treat capsular contracture with Non-Surgical Treatment modalities such as therapeutic ultrasound, Manual therapy, and Implant position techniques, depending upon the severity of your capsular contraction.