Former England footballer turned Strictly Come Dancing contestant Karen Carney has made a heartbreaking revelation about the serious spinal condition that forced her early exit from the hit BBC show.
The 36-year-old sports pundit disclosed she's been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a painful condition causing narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through it.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Carney shared the devastating news during an emotional appearance on BBC's Morning Live, explaining how the condition became apparent during her Strictly training. "It's called spinal stenosis," she revealed. "I basically don't have any discs left in my back."
The condition has been described as "degenerative," meaning it will likely worsen over time and requires ongoing management and treatment.
From Football Pitch to Dance Floor - The Physical Toll
Having enjoyed a successful career as a professional footballer with 144 appearances for the England national team, Carney's body has endured years of high-impact physical activity. However, it was the intense demands of Strictly Come Dancing that ultimately revealed the severity of her spinal issues.
"I was in agony," Carney admitted, describing the pain she experienced during rehearsals with professional dancer partner Neil Jones.
Ongoing Treatment and Recovery
The former athlete is now undergoing regular treatment to manage her condition, including:
- Regular spinal injections to manage pain and inflammation
- Physiotherapy sessions to maintain mobility
- Adapted exercise routines to protect her spine
- Continuous medical monitoring of the degenerative condition
A Message to Fans and Fellow Sufferers
Despite the challenging diagnosis, Carney remains positive and hopes her story will help others facing similar health battles. "I want to be open about it because I think it's important," she stated.
Her courageous decision to speak publicly about her condition has already sparked conversations about the physical demands of entertainment shows and the importance of listening to your body.
The Strictly community and sports fans alike have flooded social media with messages of support for the popular broadcaster as she navigates this new health challenge.
