Mangione appeared to document his lower back pain on social media, including some posts that were critical of medical professionals.
Topline
Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old suspect accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, apparently detailed on social media his issues with lower back pain and spondylolisthesis, a rare back condition caused by the vertebrae in the spine slipping out of place.Key Facts
Sponylosethsis is the result of spondylolysis, a weakness or stress fracture in one of the spine’s vertebrae that can cause the bone to weaken to a point that causes it to shift or slip out of place, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
The main symptoms of spondylolisthesis include lower back pain that often worsens when standing or walking, thigh pain, tight hamstrings and numbness spreading from the lower back down one leg.
The condition is more likely to occur in younger people who participate in sports that require the lumbar spine to hyperextend, like gymnastics, football and weightlifting, though some medical officials believe some people are born with vertebrae that are thinner than normal, putting them at a higher risk of fractures, the AAOS said.
