Digital rectal examination hurts

People with constipation are in great pain. I believe this is a common feeling among many people. Constipation can lead to many complications, among which anal fissures and hemorrhoids are relatively common. Even digital rectal examinations are required, which are very effective in detecting diseases in the anal area. But does digital rectal examination hurt? This is an issue that many people are concerned about. Generally speaking, if an experienced doctor performs this examination, the patient will not feel severe pain.

Is a digital anal exam painful?

A digital rectal examination is usually not painful.

Digital rectal examination is a simple, easy but very important clinical examination method in which the doctor inserts a finger into the patient's anus to check for diseases. An accurate rectal examination can roughly determine whether there is any rubbing and the nature of the rubbing in the anus and rectum 7 to 10 cm away from the anal margin. This is a simple, easy, non-traumatic examination performed with fingers, and it is inexpensive. There will be some discomfort, but it is acceptable. Therefore, digital rectal examination is generally not painful.

2 Causes of pain during rectal examination

In cases of peri-anorectal abscesses, such as pelvic rectal space abscess and retrorectal space abscess, a tender mass may be felt in the rectum, which may be accompanied by a sense of fluctuation. Anal fissures and infections Severe tenderness during digital examination is often seen in anal fissures and infections.

It should be pointed out that anorectal digital examination alone may not be able to completely diagnose anorectal cancer. The proportion of low-positioned rectal cancer in my country is very high, and most of them can be felt during rectal digital examination, but those located higher may not be felt. Therefore, if the colon cannot be felt, it does not necessarily mean that there is no rectal cancer. You need to go to a hospital with the necessary conditions for further examination.

3 The process of digital anal examination

Anorectal examination can be divided into two parts: external anal examination and internal anal examination. The method of external anal digital examination is: after wearing gloves, use the index finger to touch the area around the anus to see if there are any nodules, swellings, tenderness, or any fluctuations, and check for fistulas, cords, and their direction under the skin outside the anus.

Digital anal examination is an examination of the anorectum. The examination method is: after wearing gloves or finger cots, apply some lubricating oil on the index finger and anus, and insert the index finger into the rectum for examination.