“What’s that bump on my tailbone that my doctor just called a cyst? Is it tailbone pain? Is it an infection? Was I born with it? Do I need surgery?”
Well for one thing, if you’ve been told that you have a pilonidal cyst, there is no congenital cyst. Your tailbone is not directly involved. It is an infection. You were not born with it. If it persists, recurs, frequently causes you symptoms, or limits your activity you might need an operation.
Please be careful in choosing what operation to have and which surgeon to have perform that operation. Please choose a surgeon with significant experience. Please explore our Pilonidal Surgery FAQ for advice on the type of questions one should ask when discussing the surgical care of pilonidal disease. And strongly consider traveling to have your operation performed by someone who treats pilonidal disease frequently.

Pilonidal Disease: An Explainer
If you are reading this website, you are probably looking for a better way to treat your pilonidal disease. Please our patient explainer.
Patient Testimonials: The Blog
Read success stories from surgery patients
- ‘I’m back to doing my daily activities again and even more’I honestly have no clue where to start. But long story short, the first time I started to notice my problem with Pilonidal Disease was back in December of 2018. Went to urgent care the next day and all theyContinue reading “‘I’m back to doing my daily activities again and even more’”
- 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’”
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.
Meet my Office Staff
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