Bleeding or Infection in the Pelvis

Bleeding in the pelvis is rare without significant trauma and is usually seen in patients who are taking blood-thinning medications, such as coumarin/warfarin. In these patients, a rapid-onset sciatica pain can be a sign of bleeding in the back of the pelvis and abdomen which is compressing the spinal nerves as they exit to the lower extremities. Infection of the pelvis is infrequent, but can be a complication of conditions such as diverticulosis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, infection of the tubes or uterus (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease), and even appendicitis. This is a serious complication of these conditions and is often associated with fever, lowering of blood pressure, and a life-threatening state.

Infection of the discs (septic discitis) and bone (osteomyelitis) is extremely rare. These conditions lead to localised pain associated with fever. The bacteria found when these tissues are tested with laboratory cultures include Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculoses (TB bacteria). TB infection in the spine is called Pott's disease. These are each very serious conditions requiring long courses of antibiotics. The sacroiliac joints rarely become infected with bacteria. Brucellosis is a bacterial infection which can involve the sacroiliac joints, and is usually transmitted in goats' milk.