DIGESTIVE CONDITIONS · PATIENT EDUCATION
Fissure-in-Anoexplained plainly.
An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anal canal that causes sharp, knife-like pain and a little bright-red bleeding during and after bowel movements. Most fissures heal with treatment; chronic fissures are cured with a quick, minor procedure.
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Everyday digestive diseaseMedically reviewed July 2026Written for patients
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FISSURE-IN-ANO AT A GLANCE
- 4.
- Sections in this guide
- 4.
- Related guides & articles
01 / THE GUIDE
Fissure-in-Ano (Anal Fissure)
in plain language.
Written for patients and families, reviewed by the surgeons who treat it.
- DEFINITION
- A small tear in the lining of the anal canal
- WHO
- Common at all ages; linked to hard stools and constipation
- SEE A SURGEON
- Pain lasting weeks, recurring fissures, or one that won't heal
- URGENCY FLAGS
- Heavy bleeding, fever, discharge, or a lump (suggests other causes)
What is an anal fissure?
An anal fissure is a small split in the sensitive lining of the anal canal. It is one of the most common causes of severe pain on passing stool. Acute fissures are recent tears; chronic fissures have lasted several weeks and often have a tight, spasming sphincter that prevents healing.
Symptoms & causes
The hallmark is a sharp, tearing pain during a bowel movement that can linger for minutes to hours afterwards, sometimes with a streak of bright-red blood. The usual cause is the passage of a hard or large stool, with ongoing spasm of the anal muscle keeping the tear open.
Diagnosis
A fissure is diagnosed by a gentle examination. Because pain can be significant, examination is done carefully. Persistent, multiple or unusually sited fissures may prompt further assessment to exclude other conditions.
Treatment options
Most acute fissures heal with a high-fibre diet, fluids, sitz baths and healing ointments that relax the sphincter. Chronic fissures that do not heal are cured with a quick procedure (such as lateral sphincterotomy or modern alternatives) that relieves the spasm and allows healing.
This guide was originally published by Dr. Avinash Tank in his medical-education library.Read “Fissure-in-Ano (Anal Fissure)” on dravinashtank.in
02 / EXPLORE
Understand
the bigger picture.
Choose a question. Each answer comes from our patient-education library.
This overview was originally published by Dr. Avinash Tank in his medical-education library.Colon & Rectum: the full overview
03 / PATIENT EDUCATIONALL FISSURE-IN-ANO GUIDES
Learn more about
fissure-in-ano.
Doctor-written guides from Dr. Avinash Tank's medical-education library — understand the condition before you decide on treatment.
These articles live on dravinashtank.in, Dr. Avinash Tank's own site, and open in a new tab.
04 / WATCH · FISSURE-IN-ANOFULL VIDEO LIBRARY
Fissure-in-Ano,
explained on film.
Surgeon explainers, patient stories and operations from the hospital's own channel.
TALK TO A SURGEON
Bleeding, pain or
swelling at the back passage?
These are common and very treatable. The consultation is private and the examination is quick.
05 / COMMON QUESTIONS
Aboutfissure-in-ano
The anal lining is very sensitive, and the tear triggers spasm of the anal muscle, which causes sharp pain and prevents healing.
07 / PRACTICAL MATTERSPATIENT CARE GUIDE
Before you
come in.
Insurance, your stay, recovery and travel — the practical questions every patient asks.
08 / WHY DWARIKA HOSPITALABOUT THE HOSPITAL
Four promises.
One standard.
What every patient can expect here — from the first call to the last follow-up.
01.
Super-specialist led
Surgery here is performed by MCh-qualified surgical gastroenterologists, not general surgeons operating outside their specialty.
02.
Keyhole by default
Laparoscopic and scarless techniques are the standard approach, reserving open surgery for cases that genuinely need it.
03.
One team, one plan
Diagnosis, surgery, nutrition and follow-up sit under one roof — you are not handed between disconnected clinics.
04.
Counselling before consent
Every patient is told what the operation can and cannot achieve, with costs stated upfront, before anything is scheduled.
YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD. YOUR HOSPITAL.
Closer than
you think.
409–418, 4th Floor, Gamara Capital, Beside AUDA Garden, Near Civic Center, Opp. Samanvay Residency / Safal Parisar 2, South Bopal, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380058
24×7 — round-the-clock emergency & inpatient care
Patients travel to us from South Bopal, Bopal, Shela, Ghuma, Sanathal, Prahlad Nagar, Satellite, Jodhpur and across Gujarat — Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot.
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