Anal Fissure

Progressive Surgical Care

Colorectal Surgeons and General Surgeons located in Howard Beach, Queens & New Hyde Park, Long Island

If you’re experiencing anal pain during and after a bowel movement, you may have an anal fissure, which is a tear in the anal tissue. It’s like a papercut of the anus. Without proper care, an anal fissure may not properly heal and lead to complications. The experienced team at Progressive Surgical Care, with New York offices in Flushing, Forest HIlls, New Hyde Park, Long Island and Howard Beach, Queens, specializes in the management of anal fissures and can provide the care you need to heal the tissue. For an appointment, call the office today.

Anal Fissure Q & A

What is an anal fissure?

An anal fissure refers to a tear in the tissue that lines your anus. Anal fissures are common and may occur:

When you pass a hard stool
When you strain with constipation
As a result of chronic diarrhea
During childbirth

Anal intercourse may also lead to the development of an anal fissure. You may also be at risk of anal fissures if you have a history of Crohn’s disease, which is an inflammatory bowel disease that may cause inflammation in any part of your digestive system, including your anus.

Anal fissures are common and can heal with simple medical treatments at home. However, once you’ve had one anal fissure, you’re at risk of a recurrence. If your anal fissure doesn’t heal within eight weeks, then it’s considered a chronic anal fissure.

An anal fissure can also tear through the muscle of your anus, which may lead to more pain and a prolonged healing process. They can ulcerate and lead to an ulcer, abscess or fistula.

What are the symptoms of an anal fissure?

Severe pain during a bowel movement is the most common symptom of an anal fissure. In some cases, the pain may last for hours after your bowel movement. You may also observe blood on your stool or toilet paper.

Upon visual inspection, you may be able to see the crack in your tissue or notice a skin tag near the injury.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, your specialist at Progressive Surgical Care evaluates you to confirm if you have an anal fissure. During your examination, your specialist determines if your anal fissure is acute or chronic. Most fissures can be treated conservatively with medications, creams, and change in diet.

How is an anal fissure treated?

Treatment for your anal fissure depends on the severity of your tear and your symptoms. Initially, your specialist at Progressive Surgical Care may recommend conservative treatment to ease your discomfort, such as prescription medication, daily soaks, and a high-fiber diet.

For a chronic anal fissure that doesn’t respond well to conservative treatments, your specialist may recommend surgical repair of the tear. During the procedure, your specialist may relax the internal anal sphincter, which is the muscle that controls resting tone, to reduce muscle spasms and help your fissure heal. The main muscle for anal continence is the external sphincter muscle, and this muscle is never touched and never compromised.

For an examination of your anal fissure, call Progressive Surgical Care today or request an appointment online.

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