Anal fissure treatment in Tijuana: end the pain cycle

A sharp, cutting pain during and after a bowel movement, sometimes lasting hours, is the hallmark of an anal fissure. It is one of the most painful anorectal problems and also one of the most treatable.

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Anal fissure

What it is

Anal Fissure Treatment

An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anal canal, usually caused by a hard stool, diarrhea or straining. The pain makes the sphincter muscle spasm; the spasm reduces blood flow, and the tear cannot heal. That is the cycle treatment has to break.

A fissure that has lasted less than six weeks is considered acute and usually heals with medication. After eight weeks it is chronic, often with a small skin tag at the edge, and may need a procedure.

Common symptoms

Sharp or burning pain when passing stool
Pain that lingers for minutes or hours afterward
A streak of bright-red blood on the paper
Fear of going to the bathroom
A small skin tag near the anus

The diagnosis is confirmed at your evaluation.

Treatment

How a fissure is treated

From the simplest to the most specialized; we only move forward if needed.

Soften the stool

Fiber, fluids and stool softeners so each bowel movement stops reopening the tear.

Relax the sphincter

Prescription ointments that relax the muscle and bring blood flow back, plus warm sitz baths.

Botulinum toxin

An injection that relaxes the sphincter for several weeks when ointments are not enough.

Lateral sphincterotomy

A short outpatient surgery for chronic fissures: a small part of the muscle is released so the tear can finally heal.

Diagnosis

How it is diagnosed

In most cases a fissure is diagnosed just by looking, gently separating the skin. Instruments are avoided while it hurts. If the fissure is in an unusual position, there are several, or it does not heal as expected, other causes such as Crohn’s disease or infections are ruled out.

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FAQ

What people ask most

How long does a fissure take to heal?

An acute fissure usually improves within two to six weeks of treatment. Chronic fissures take longer and are the ones that may need botulinum toxin or surgery.

Will surgery affect bowel control?

Sphincterotomy releases only a small portion of the internal sphincter. The risk for continence is low but real, and it is discussed case by case before deciding.

Is it a fissure or hemorrhoids?

Both can bleed, but a fissure hurts sharply during and after bowel movements, while internal hemorrhoids usually do not hurt. An exam tells them apart.

This page offers general information and does not replace a medical visit. Every case is assessed individually; results and recovery times vary from person to person.

Abscess & fistula

A painful, swollen lump near the anus is often an abscess. A small opening that keeps draining weeks later is usually a fistula.

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Pilonidal cyst

Pain and swelling at the top of the cleft between the buttocks, sometimes with drainage that stains your clothes, is typical of pilonidal disease.