If you spend hours sitting in front of a computer monitor or TV screen playing video games, you’re at risk of developing a common pain in your butt better known in the medical community as Pilonidal Disease (aka Pilonidal Cyst).
Patients suffering from Pilonidal Disease can experience on and off discomfort, swelling, and sometimes even an eruption of the wound, causing it to drain and leave a stain of blood or pus in your underwear. This pain in the bum is the result of a pilonidal abscess or sinus forming underneath the skin near a patient’s natal cleft, better known in the gaming community as your butt crack.
If this describes your condition, don’t panic. You are not alone and you have plenty of options. If you have significant symptoms causing severe discomfort, you’ve come to the right place. The Sternberg Clinic for Pilonidal Surgery is a pioneer in the Cleft-Lift surgery procedure, and has successfully performed hundreds of surgeries on patients around the globe from our medical center in San Francisco, California.
Read more about the symptoms, causes and treatment for Pilonidal Disease.
A Sub-Reddit for Pilonidal Disease
Because of the demographic and age-group of many patients it’s no wonder that the online community Reddit has an active Sub-Reddit community r/pilonidalcyst devoted to the subject.
Pilonidal Disease most commonly affects young people — men and women — in their late teens and early 20s. It’s not something you are born with (though the shape of your bum checks may make you more prone to it). Rather it’s something you acquire after experiencing some sort of trauma near the tailbone region — like falling off a skateboard or sitting for long periods of time in front of a video game console.
Due to the damp, dark nature of this “butt-crack” region — as many young patients describe it — the wound isn’t able to properly heal, and instead closes over creating a subcutaneous abscess that is prone to re-infection.
Do your research
Information on the Internet isn’t always accurate, case in point: This disease is often incorrectly referred to as a Pilonidal Cyst — like the sub Reddit mentioned above, but that’s not accurate. For the term ‘pilonidal cyst’ to be correct, there must be an infected glandular cyst present, which is lined by epithelium (like skin). However, cysts are not present in Pilonidal Disease and there is no such thing as a ‘pilonidal cyst’.
If you or someone you know is suffering from Pilonidal Disease, explore the patient information on this website to better understand what’s going on and what your options are. Most importantly, learn how to interview and select the best surgeon for your treatment. And consider your options for traveling to our surgery center in San Francisco.
Finally, don’t hesitate to email us at info@thesternbergclinic.com if you’d like to learn more about your options. Our office staff is eager to hear from you and help you consider your options, including how to become a patient of The Sternberg Clinic.
Meet Your Surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Sternberg
After many years performing major abdominal operations including open and laparoscopic resections for colon cancer, rectal cancer, Crohn’s disease, and Ulcerative colitis, I have chosen to concentrate my efforts in a few highly specialized areas of surgery where I feel I can make the greatest positive impact on patients.
More on my Training and Experience
Patient Testimonials: The Blog
Read success stories from surgery patients
- Patient Prep: Traveling to San Francisco for Pilonidal care during COVID-19This has been a difficult eight months for all of us. The time has been particularly challenging for patients with Pilonidal Disease, particularly those who must to travel outside of their local medical community to find a surgeon who canContinue reading “Patient Prep: Traveling to San Francisco for Pilonidal care during COVID-19”
- ‘The “Guru” of pilonidal disease’Dr. Sternberg saved my son from years of problems and potential surgeries! He is an amazing doctor and we feel so fortunate to have been referred to him. My 16-year-old son had pilonidal disease and was treated at Urgent CareContinue reading “‘The “Guru” of pilonidal disease’”
- ‘No pain, quick recovery, and a return to normal life’THANK YOU DR. STERNBERG!!! After suffering a hard fall, I developed a draining abscess in the upper left area of my buttocks. I first went to a Dermatologist, who performed a painful in-office surgery. After the surgery, the area worsened.Continue reading “‘No pain, quick recovery, and a return to normal life’”
Contact our San Francisco Office
To learn more about treating your Pilonidal Disease with surgery and the Cleft Lift procedure, contact our office staff for information or to schedule an appointment.
Did Dr. Sternberg treat your pilonidal disease? Submit a Patient Testimonial
Appointment Hours
Mon – Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Weekends: Closed
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Member of ASCRS, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation,
American College of Surgeons, and Pilonidal Support Alliance
