Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, grappled with severe back pain due to spondylolisthesis, despite undergoing spinal surgery a year prior.
In 2023, Mangione confided in former neighbors in Hawaii about his back problems, revealing a suspected pinched nerve, according to the Honolulu Civil Beat. A Reddit post attributed to Mangione, dated August 3, 2023, underscores the impact of the condition on his life: “It can be easy to get caught up in the plethora of horror stories on the internet. When my spondy went bad on me last year (23M) it was completely devastating as a young athletic person.” “Spondy” is short for spondylolisthesis, a rare spinal condition.
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Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra slips out of place, pressing on the one below it, most commonly in the lower back. Symptoms can range from lower back pain and stiffness to numbness in the feet, difficulty walking, and sciatica (leg pain), as outlined by the Cleveland Clinic. While more prevalent in individuals over 50 due to age-related wear and tear, it can also result from sports injuries or trauma.
R.J. Martin, founder of a co-living space where Mangione resided, told The New York Times that Mangione believed his back condition made dating and intimacy impossible. Martin also shared with Today that the persistent pain weighed heavily on Mangione. A spokesperson for Martin emphasized the condition’s toll on Mangione’s mental health, stating that the constant pain led to depression, further straining his relationships.
A February 2024 Reddit post suggests Mangione underwent spinal surgery around six months prior, aligning with late July or early August 2023. Disturbingly, Mangione ceased communication with loved ones after the surgery and was reported missing to the San Francisco Police Department on November 18, weeks before the December 4 shooting, according to The San Francisco Standard.
Dr. Uzma Samadani, a Minnesota neurologist specializing in spine surgery, told Yahoo Life that spondylolisthesis can cause excruciating, unremitting pain. She explained that conservative treatments like medication and injections often prove ineffective, and weight-bearing activities can exacerbate the pain significantly.
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Samadani highlighted the challenges patients face in accessing necessary care, noting that many insurance companies mandate six to twelve weeks of physical therapy before authorizing surgery or even diagnostic imaging. She criticized this practice, describing it as “mandatory torture” for individuals with severe cases, as physical therapy can be excruciating and potentially futile. Mangione himself expressed frustration with delays in receiving surgery on Reddit, fearing a future of chronic pain and limited career options, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. He even advised others online to exaggerate their symptoms to expedite the process.
While rest, over-the-counter pain relievers, corticosteroids, physical therapy, and bracing can manage milder cases of spondylolisthesis, surgery is necessary for severe cases, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Untreated, the condition can lead to chronic pain, spinal arthritis, nerve damage, and bowel or bladder control issues. Dr. Beth Darnall, a Stanford University pain management specialist, told Yahoo Life that high-impact chronic pain, which significantly disrupts daily life, can severely impact mood, sleep, and the ability to manage distress and anxiety.
