Silicone-gel breast implants and other silicone prostheses may cause arthritis-like symptoms such as swelling of joints, pain, fever and chronic fatigue. The problem appears to be due to the fact that they promote antibodies to collagen which then attach to susceptible tissues (J Autoimmun, 1993; 6: 367-77; J Autoimmun, 1994; 7: 775-89). Some women have seen their arthritic symptoms disappear after having the implants removed.