What can I expect if I go in to the doctors for anal pain and a small hard lump that isn't thrombose

What I thought was a hemorrhoid (because my anus hurt) might not be a hemorrhoid, so I'm going to have it looked at. It tends to hurt more even with gas and the hard lump I can find isn't thrombosed and isn't a point source of pain. I've been through looking for trigger points and tight muscles, as has my wife, and neither of us has found anything. Either a hemorrhoid or muscular dysfuction are the only things that make sense, but I guess I'll have it checked out anyway because my current strategies aren't helping.

I have some control issues and I'm pretty sure I would feel more comfortable making the appointment if I knew what I was getting myself into. I imagine that the doctor will probably want to do a visual exam of the outside, and possibly a DRE, but I was hoping for some more details about what is likely.

Great news - it may not be an issue. I think I might have found a trigger point that I overlooked, and the discomfort is getting better. There's still the funky bump like thing under the skin of my sphincter that might bug me later, but for now I might be able to cross this off my list.

The only way to be certain everything is alright is to get it checked by a doctor. It sounds like it's likely something that will just pass on its own, but it could be something more serious.

A strange lump in an unusual location is a good reason to make an appointment. Always better safe than sorry.

Followup - I did bring this up at an appointment related to something else. I was able to describe things well enough and in sufficient detail that we were able to plan an initial course of action without the doctor even needing to look at my butt (although I didn't bring up the hard lump, but that's not getting bigger. I'm monitoring it).

Basic outcome - most likely stress-related, especially given some job-related issues and ongoing pain in the lower regions. We'll see what happens.