Actress Jeon Won-ju, 86, diagnosed with spinal stenosis after hip surgery

Veteran South Korean actress Jeon Won-ju, 86, has been diagnosed with spinal stenosis following surgery for a hip fracture. The diagnosis came during a hospital visit to check on her recovery after undergoing artificial hip joint surgery earlier this year due to a fall.

During her examination, doctors confirmed that her surgically replaced hip joint was well-balanced with the other side. Her knee joints were also found to be in good condition, comparable to someone in their 60s, and her legs maintained a straight alignment, without the common 'O-leg' deformity seen in many Koreans.

However, Jeon is experiencing persistent pain in her right leg, which was not operated on. The attending physician identified the cause as progressive arthritis in the lumbar spine and spinal stenosis. The doctor explained that degenerative changes between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae have caused a slight slippage, leading to the leg pain and numbness.

While a fracture was ruled out, the current treatment involves medication. The doctor advised that if symptoms improve, no further procedures will be necessary. However, if the pain recurs, more detailed examinations will be required. Jeon originally sustained the hip fracture during a fall on icy ground last winter, leading to her surgery in March.