Kim Jong-un disappearance: What is tarsal tunnel syndrome?
South Korean spies believe Kim suffered from rare cause of ankle pain and has undergone surgery
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Intelligence officers in South Korea have said they discovered the truth behind Kim Jong-un’s mysterious 40-day disappearance from the public eye.
Spies for the National Intelligence Service (NIS) said the North Korean dictator appeared to have undergone surgery on his right ankle after he was diagnosed with tarsal tunnel syndrome.
The affliction is defined as one of the less common causes of heel pain by the NHS.
It involves the compression of the nerves that run along the sole of the foot and into a small tunnel on the inside of the ankle joint – the tarsal tunnel.
This usually occurs when a cyst forms or if the tunnel is damaged, for example by an irregular arch in the ankle. People with severely flat feet are believed to be at particular risk.
The syndrome can cause pain anywhere along the nerve, including beneath the heel, and may be aggravated by long periods walking or standing. Kim was observed limping while making public visits in the days before he disappeared.
Corrective surgery is only reserved for the most severe of cases, after more conservative treatments involving arch supports and anti-inflammatory drugs have failed.
It is a highly effective treatment, however, proving successful at relieving symptoms in around 90 per cent of cases.
After he was last shown in state media outlets on 3 September Kim re-emerged on 14 October walking with a cane. If the South Korean spies are right about the dictator’s diagnosis and treatment, he should be back to his old self in no time.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments