Capsular Contracture is a condition that involves tightening of the scar tissue that forms around the breast implant. The scar tissue is known as the ‘capsule.’ The tightening is referred to as ‘contracture.’ It is also referred to as hardening of the breast owing to the breast procedure you have undergone. The severity of Capsular Contracture differs from mild to severe contractures that are painful and may distort the breast by significantly pulling the breast implant up. The Aspen After Surgery team has in-depth knowledge about the symptoms and treatment for Capsular Contracture.
Why does Capsular contracture occur after breast implants?
At the Aspen After Surgery Centre, we recognize various factors contributing to forming a capsular contracture after breast surgery. Firstly we need to understand that our immune system knows when a foreign object has been put into the tissues. As a defense mechanism, the body creates a capsule of scar tissue around the implant to seal it off. This capsule is not harmful! However, the issue begins when the capsule contracts or thickens, and it can squeeze and misshapen your implant. This is the occurrence of capsular Contracture, which causes pain, shifting, distortion, and hardening of the breast. But the good news is that whoever undergoes breast implant surgery is not necessarily faced with Capsular Contracture.
How can Capsular Contracture be prevented?
Yes. Early capsule mobilization, immune system check ups, medications, and non surgical approaches like the Aspen After Surgery Treatment can be employed. They must be done prophylactically (within 2 weeks after surgery) and not wait until a new capsule forms after surgery.
Does the capsular contracture severity differ? How do you identify it?
There are four grades of capsular Contracture:
- Grade I – the breast is soft and appears normal, and the capsule is flexible.
- Grade II – the breast looks normal but is somewhat hard to the touch.
- Grade III – the breast is hard and has some distortion caused by Contracture.
- Grade IV – The breast feels like GRADE 111, but the capsule has a more significant amount of hardening and pain.
When can Capsular Contracture occur after a breast implant?
Capsular Contracture can happen to you anytime after your breast implant surgery. It may take 1 month to many years also to develop.
How can Capsular Contracture be treated?
There are surgical and non-surgical ways to treat capsular Contracture with us at Aspen After Surgery Centre. Aspen Ultrasound therapy is the most recent and prevalent method to help treat capsular Contracture. It is a non-invasive and pain-free method. This procedure has a proven 90% success rate.
The surgical procedure is called capsulectomy, which is a surgery that removes the stiffened capsule, and the breast implant may be replaced during this procedure for best results. This has a very low success rate and in 70% of all cases results in another capsule.
Another surgery known as capsulotomy loosens the scar tissue by slicing it and allowing expansion. This has a very low success rate and in 70% of all cases results in another capsule.
Depending upon the severity of the capsular contracture, the Aspen experts may also suggest other methods to treat it like massage, ultrasound, and stretches that help the stiff capsule relax.
Conclusion:
There are treatments available to treat Capsular Contracture with breast implants. It is essential to take steps before and right after surgery to reduce your risk of developing Capsular Contracture.
Talk to our Aspen After Surgery team to know more about all the procedures to treat Capsular Contracture.