Former England football star Karen Carney has revealed she played her entire professional career while managing a significant spinal condition, which she continues to navigate in her latest challenge on Strictly Come Dancing.
A Lifelong Challenge with Scheuermann's Disease
The 38-year-old, who played for top clubs including Chelsea and Arsenal, has been diagnosed with Scheuermann's disease. This condition causes a curvature at the top of the spine and impacted her approach to football from the very beginning.
"I suffered with it the whole of my football career but I never made it a thing," Carney explained. She emphasised her determination to simply get on with the game, despite the condition sometimes being disheartening and affecting her playing days.
Triumph on the Pitch Despite Pain
Carney's resilience in the face of this hidden health battle is remarkable. She spent countless hours in treatment rooms to remain fit, enabling her to achieve an illustrious career.
Her accolades are a testament to her strength:
- Winning three Women's Super League titles.
- Earning 144 caps for the England national team over 14 years.
- Helping England secure third place at a Women's World Cup and clinch the SheBelieves Cup in 2019.
From Football Boots to Dance Shoes
Now, Carney is applying the same grit to the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing ballroom. She admits the dance training, particularly for styles like the tango, is challenging due to her posture.
"I just want to show that I might not be the perfect dancer. I will not have the perfect posture, but I'll certainly give it my best," she stated. Her focus is on bringing joy to the audience, a philosophy that recently saw her score a perfect mark and top the leaderboard.
Since retiring from football, Carney has built a successful media career. She provides expert commentary on football for TNT Sports and ITV, co-hosts the Long Story Short podcast with Jill Scott, and was recognised with an OBE in 2024 for her services to football.
Reflecting on her journey, Carney's outlook remains positive: "It was just about being honest and working with what we can. I'm healthy and happy and that's the most important thing."
