Anorectal Injury

Anorectal injury refers to damage to the tissues of the anus and rectum caused by various factors. It may be accompanied by injuries to other organs, fractures, and other complications. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this condition is classified under categories such as “narrowing of the intestinal passage,” “fistulizing hemorrhoids,” and “slippage of stool.”

TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference

|Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Symptoms may include a feeling of distention and bearing down at the site of anorectal injury, stabbing pain, and bluish-purple discoloration beneath the skin, with tenderness to touch. The tongue is dark, the coating is thin and white, and the pulse is wiry. Clinically, the main features are fixed stabbing pain and a dark or purplish discoloration of the tongue or skin, or the presence of petechiae or ecchymoses.

In Plain Language:

  • The injured area around the anus and rectum may feel heavy and swollen, with a sharp, needle-like pain. Bruising and purplish discoloration may be visible beneath the skin, and pressing or touching the area may cause pain.
  • The tongue may appear dark or purplish rather than a healthy bright color.
  • The tongue has only a thin, light white coating.
  • The pulse may feel taut and tense, like a stretched string.
  • Common clinical features include pain that is fixed in location and feels like stabbing, a dark or purplish color of the tongue and skin, and possibly pinpoint or patchy bruising.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Invigorate blood and resolve stasis; promote the movement of qi and relieve pain.

In Plain Language:

  • Promote the flow of stagnant blood and help resolve blood stasis, improving local circulation so that swelling and discoloration may gradually subside.
  • Promote the smooth movement of qi and ease obstruction and spasms, with the aim of relieving pain, aching, distention, or stabbing sensations.

|Related Medications

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Symptoms may include marked tenderness at the site of anorectal injury, with pain on pressure, warm skin, fever, and thirst. The tongue is red, the coating is thin and yellow, and the pulse is rapid and wiry. Pain and swelling are the main features. In addition to a tendency to form a hematoma after injury, signs of infection may be pronounced, and difficulty with bowel movements may occur.

In Plain Language:

  • The injured area around the anus and rectum may be very painful, and touching or pressing it may make the pain worse.
  • The skin around the injury may be red and warm, with a burning sensation.
  • There may be fever and thirst, with a desire to drink more water.
  • The tongue may appear red.
  • The tongue coating may be thin and yellow.
  • The pulse may feel taut, like a stretched string, and beat rapidly.
  • Pain and swelling are the main features.
  • A hematoma may form easily after an injury, signs of infection may be pronounced, and difficulty with bowel movements may occur.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Clear toxins and reduce swelling; invigorate blood and relieve pain.

In Plain Language:

  • Clear pathogenic toxins from the body and help regulate the inflammatory response, with the aim of reducing redness, swelling, warmth, and pain and easing swelling.
  • Promote blood circulation and help resolve blood stasis and dissipate nodules, with the aim of easing stabbing or aching pain so that it may gradually lessen.

|Related Medications

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

References

  1. Wang Jifu. Gastrointestinal Surgery [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2000.
  2. Wang Jianping, Chen Chuangqi, Qin Jianzhang, et al. Experience in the diagnosis and treatment of anorectal trauma [J]. Abdominal Surgery, 2002, 15(2): 88-90.