Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 13 Dec 2024
What Is Spondylolisthesis—A Severe Spine Condition Which Luigi Mangione Allegedly Has?
Spondylolisthesis is extremely painful, but there are treatments that help manage it
The main accused in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson had a few years back posted about undergoing spinal surgery and struggling with issues like chronic back pain and numbness—what has appeared to be an archived version of his deleted Reddit account.
Earlier this week, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione was charged with one count of murder, three counts of criminal possession of a weapon, and one count of possession of a forged instrument. Thompson was killed last week outside a hotel in New York.
According to archived Reddit posts, Mangione’s interests and mental state over the last eight years have been briefly explained. He allegedly has been active on the social media platform since 2016 under the username Mister_Cactus, posting most frequently about his spine health.
“Mister_Cactus” allegedly suffered from a painful back
Even though the account has now been suspended, it was mostly focused on spondylolisthesis—a critical condition where one of the bones in your spine, known as the vertebra, slips forward. It is extremely painful, but there are treatments that help manage it.
In comments exchanged with another user in April, “Mister_Cactus” wrote that his condition “went bad to the point where I felt it every day.”
Mangione allegedly had spinal fusion surgery
The Reddit posts also suggest that the account holder underwent spinal fusion surgery last year. The procedure involves inserting bone or a bone-like material into the space between two spinal bones, then connecting the grafts and the bones with metal plates, screws, or rods.
Doctors say the surgery helps fuse the bones to relieve pressure on the vertebrae and reinforce the spine’s shape and stability.
How does spondylolisthesis affect you?
Your spine, made with 33 stacked bones that are linked together, moves a little bit as you move your body and helps change your posture. However, if you have spondylolisthesis, one of your vertebrae would move more than it should and slide out of its usual spot and onto the vertebra that is placed below it. It then puts pressure on nerves around your spine and causes back pain.
While the condition can happen anywhere in your spine, it is most common in the lumbar spine and also affects your neck or midback.
What are the signs and symptoms of spondylolisthesis?
Doctors say you may also feel pain in other areas of your back depending on where the vertebra slips out of place, as it spreads into your buttocks or thighs. While some people have spondylolisthesis and never experience symptoms, others may also have a few minor or low-grade ones, like:
- Sciatica pain or pain in your legs
- Stiffness in your back
- Difficulty walking or standing for more than a few minutes at a time
- Numbness, weakness, and tingling in your feet
What causes spondylolisthesis?
According to experts, the most common causes of this degenerative condition include:
- Natural ageing and wear and tear on your spinal disks
- Having naturally thinner vertebrae than usual
- Sports injuries
- Growth spurts in kids and teenagers
- Traumas like falls or car accidents
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