Same-day & next-day appointments sometimes available for urgent concerns — Call (551) 321-1388

Anal Fissure Relief — Accurate Diagnosis, Effective Treatment, Often Without Surgery

If you're experiencing pain, burning, or bleeding with bowel movements, you may have an anal fissure. Dr. Karmina Choi provides expert, compassionate care with a focus on the least invasive path to healing.

ANORECTAL CONDITION

Expert Colorectal Care | Fort Lee, NJ

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Common questions

Most

anal fissures heal with non-surgical treatment

Zero

guesswork - we rule out other conditions first

Same

office visit exam for accurate diagnosis

What is an anal fissure?

An anal fissure is a small but painful tear in the skin or lining at or just inside the anal opening. It most commonly results from passing hard stool, but can also be triggered by diarrhea, straining, or trauma. Fissures are classified as acute (recent) or chronic (longer-lasting and deeper). The sooner treatment begins, the easier and faster healing occurs. Delayed or untreated fissures can worsen and — in some cases — lead to abscess or fistula.

Recognize the symptoms

Sharp burning pain

Starts with bowel movements and may linger for minutes to hours afterward.

Bright red bleeding

Noticed on toilet paper or in the bowl — often alarming but usually from a small tear.

Small skin tag

A lump near the anal opening sometimes mistaken for a hemorrhoid.

Throbbing or pulsating pain

A sign the sphincter muscle is exposed and irritated — common in chronic fissures.

Often misdiagnosed

Symptoms overlap with hemorrhoids and other conditions — expert evaluation is essential.

Avoidance of bowel movements

Fear of pain can create a cycle that delays healing and worsens the fissure.

Why accurate diagnosis matters?

Anal fissures share symptoms with hemorrhoids, abscesses, fistulas, and even anal cancer. Without a thorough examination by a specialist, these conditions can be missed — leading to delayed healing or unnecessary treatments.

Dr. Choi performs a detailed, gentle in-office examination that confirms the diagnosis and rules out other conditions at the same visit. Her specialized training allows her to spot what may not be visible to the untrained eye — including early signs of abscess, fistula, or Crohn's-related fissures that require a different treatment approach.

Highly effective treatment - often without surgery

Address the root cause

Increasing fiber and water intake, establishing a bowel routine — these foundational steps reduce the pressure that caused the fissure and prevent it from recurring.

Topical medications

Prescription creams ease pain and relax the anal sphincter, restoring blood flow so the fissure can heal. Most acute fissures resolve in 6–8 weeks with this approach.

Advanced surgical options (when needed)

When fissures are complicated by abscess or fistula, Dr. Choi employs minimally invasive debridement or flap anoplasty. She specifically avoids sphincterotomy — a technique associated with fecal incontinence risk — protecting your long-term continence.

Office anal fissurectomy (if needed)

For chronic fissures that haven't responded to medication, Dr. Choi can perform a targeted fissurectomy right in the office — carefully removing the scar tissue so fresh, healthy healing can begin. This focused procedure avoids the risks of a full operating room setting and preserves sphincter function.

Why choose Dr. Karmina Choi?

Fellowship-trained specialist

Dedicated colorectal expertise, not a general surgeon moonlighting in proctology.

Preserves your continence

Treatment plans prioritize avoiding procedures that carry incontinence risk.

Prompt appointments

Anal fissure pain is urgent. We work to see you quickly so you can start healing sooner.

Least invasive first

Surgery is a last resort, not a first offer. Most patients never need it.

Conveniently located

Fort Lee, NJ — easily accessible from Bergen County, Manhattan, and surrounding areas.

Female physician option

Dr. Choi provides a comfortable and sensitive environment for patients who prefer a female specialist.

Common Questions

Do I need surgery for an anal fissure?

Most patients do not. The majority of acute fissures heal fully with dietary changes and topical medications. Surgery is reserved for complex chronic cases, and even then, Dr. Choi uses the most sphincter-sparing techniques available.

How long does healing take?

Acute fissures typically heal in 6–8 weeks with proper treatment. Chronic fissures may take longer, depending on the treatment approach chosen in consultation with Dr. Choi.

Is the exam painful?

Dr. Choi performs examinations with great care and gentleness, knowing this area is extremely sensitive. Her goal is to make the visit as comfortable as possible while obtaining the information needed for an accurate diagnosis.

Can a fissure come back?

Yes — especially if the underlying cause (constipation, diarrhea, or straining) isn't addressed. Dr. Choi helps you identify and correct the root cause so you can stay fissure-free long term.

Related conditions

Hemorrhoids

Anal or rectal pain

Anal itch and skin irritation

Anal abscess and fistula

Rectal bleeding

Constipation

You don't have to keep living with the pain.

Relief is possible — and for most patients, surgery is never needed. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Choi today.

Book an Appointment

Call (551) 321-1388

1625 Anderson Avenue, Suite 203, Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results vary. Please consult Dr. Choi for a personalized evaluation and treatment plan.

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Colorectal Care of New Jersey

Expert, compassionate colorectal care — from office procedures to complex surgery — with a natural-first approach and a commitment to your long-term quality of life.

1625 Anderson Ave, Ste 203

Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024

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