When my back went picking up my daughter, I didn't know it was a sign of a sinister condition. Days later doctors feared I would never walk again. Six years on I still need crutches and have bladder issues. Never dismiss these symptoms as 'just' a bad back

I was convinced I'd be given something to fix it and be back in no time. But I was taken for an emergency scan and a doctor said they needed to operate or I was going to be paralysed permanently.