A method for treating an anal or sphincter wound of a subject is described. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of a stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) protein or protein variant, or an SDF-1 or SDF-1 variant expression vector in or proximate to the anal or sphincter wound. Topical formulations for administering the SDF-1 or SDF-1 expression vector to an anal or sphincter wound are also described.