How can scar tissue occur now when previous surgery for an anal fistula happened nearly 20 years ago.

[vanadium1]

I've had surgery in 1994 for an anal fistula which healed well.Eight months ago I developed severe pain in my anal area made worse by sitting. I've an MRI which was unclear due to atrophy but suggested a tract giving measurements. Following an examination under anaesthetic the result was ..scar tissue from previous anal surgery. My question is, why now? after 20 years. No further explanation has been given and I've still got my pain and still sitting on a ring. I'm hoping my GP can suggest where I go from here.

[wall]

I am sad to read about your problem..sometimes tissue developes over years ..and does not give problems..( but then does) ..an op to remove is not always helpful as more take the place of those removed ...I understand your pain and wish you well ....I get simialr problems but doctors are loathe to help ...as it is a complex subject.....they are trying to find ways of stopping this happing when surgery takes place by useing a barrier with cream or other methods ...but I do not know how far they have got with it..... as it is a well known problem ....God Bless ....

[vanadium1 in reply to wall]

Thank you, wall, I will probably have to live with my pain as there does not seem to be any way of curing it. Having any invasive procedure to try and find the cause can, in itself, create more scar tissue. I am currently researching other methods of dealing with this as I would like not to have to sit on a ring for evermore.!

[wall in reply to vanadium1]

Dear Friend,it should nto be so that many suffer because of this ..keep trying as I have done you may come up with an answer or get a doc to listen to you ..live in hope .rest if you can to help the body ....

.I am 78 and it is horrid to live with so much discomfort ..I have had since my op 16 years ago and no help..I have paid and tried many consultants but to no avail...keep going best you can and never give up

.I am very young in myself though the age I am ..and have younger friends in there 50s .....Bless you ...

.Faith and hope Hugs Margaret

[Lookingforanswers]

That is worrying alright as scar tissue from an hernia op that i had in '84 is the only possible explanation i have been given for my pelvic pain and i had dismissed that as ridiculous, but now you have made me wonder!

[jerszy in reply to Lookingforanswers]

I can sympathize with your predicament. I have perianal nerve pain (only when I sit) and, when I was last in to see my massage specialist, she worked in the area where I had a hernia op in the early 90's and it triggered the pain in my anus. Have you found any answers to this unusual connection?

[vanadium1]

From what I understand, scar tissue is where healing internal tissue hardens following surgery, and surrounding soft tissue adheres to it and can restrict the blood flow to that area, thus causing pain and discomfort. The surrounding skin pulls on the scar tissue and can set up an inflammation which appears to be difficult to treat. But not sure what the answer is or how it can be relieved.

[wall]

yes the answer is correct!!very true ....let us hope they will find an answer to try to stop it in time ....in future surgery ....xxxMargaret

[wall]

Dear vanadium..well it can take that long to become a pain and discomfort ..people have it and not get any discomforts ...bodies are very complex things you know..I read stretching and massage useful .. I belive some find helpful I do stretching myself have done for a long time .....lie on the floor and stretch.......as it is releaving the tightening that accours ...inflamation needs antibiotics ...I would think ....

..Good Luck..keep searching to get answers .(.Wall ).. xxx..

[vanadium1 in reply to wall]

Thank you, Margaret, yes I have been reading that stretching does help and have found info attached to a link to this site. There is a book by ? Liz Knight about this subject but I am loathe to pay $37 for a book. I'm sure I can find similar information elsewhere. You certainly do sound young for you age. I am 60 and hope I am as well informed as you when I'm 78. However inflammation would not need antibiotics, infection would, and there is no infection. Inflammation needs anti-inflammatory drugs. But according to the News this morning (BBC), common anti-inflammatory drugs that you can buy over the counter taken in high doses can now pose a risk of heart attack ! But like most of these headlines, you would have to be taking high doses for a very long time. So I don't think I will lose any sleep over that. I will keep searching and will let you know of progress xxx

[wall]

Dear Vanadium,yes I agree always keep looking !!yes there are side effects with most drugs I always look at the leaflets.I am sure you can find info without paying lots for exsepnsive books..I will check that book out also..well I keep getting problems wit divatulart anther thing ha ha !not funny very painful ..and I am informed does not get better it is managing the situation..with the type of diet easy digestable small amounts..I am pleased you have heard of streching you can fine vidios on Youtube regarding this...when I found it I thought YES I know..yes I saw the BBC also but it is common knowledge if you are in the know about pills.. but so many pop them without thought ...(.I tried to load a picture of myself but could not get it to upload although a jpeg..)

let me know how you get on the only consolation is many others suffer as you do and I do ..which is sad as life is miserable when it could be better without ....

Love and Healing to you and all others ..Margaret xxx

[testuser123]

Hi, Don't know if this is still being read but basically I could have written the above description of the problem - because I have identical symptoms. Even the 20 year ok gap after fistula op. - and then pain. Did you ever find a solution to you (our) problem? I be very interested to know - for obvious reasons. Thanks.

[Rodo1983]

Hello, I am having this same problem! I had fistula surgery 18 years ago and developed pain when sitting radiating into the leg now. Did you find a solution?

[Monique1649]

I am so sorry. Scar tissue forms usually within a few weeks following surgery. Sometimes they do not cause problems for years. They can form fibrous bands leading to problems. Scar tissue is a pain, literally. I do hope you get help.