Medical teams in South Korea were stunned when an X-ray revealed something highly unusual in the knees of a 65-year-old woman suffering from severe joint pain. Instead of a standard image of bones and cartilage, the scan displayed hundreds of tiny gold acupuncture needles embedded deep within her tissue.
The woman, who had long battled osteoarthritis—a condition where the protective cartilage between bones wears down—had struggled to find relief. Common treatments such as painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications had only worsened her stomach discomfort. Searching for alternatives, she turned to acupuncture, a centuries-old practice often used in Asia to relieve pain and restore balance in the body.
According to doctors, during her acupuncture sessions, gold needles were intentionally left inside her knees to provide ongoing stimulation to pressure points. While this approach is practiced in some regions, medical experts caution that leaving foreign objects in the body can be risky.
Dr. Ali Guermazi, a radiology professor at Boston University, explained that retained objects can trigger inflammation, abscesses, and even serious infections. They can also make it more difficult for physicians to read imaging scans. “The body naturally tries to reject any foreign material,” he said, noting that scar tissue may form around the object. Even more concerning, patients with such embedded needles are unable to undergo certain diagnostic tests, such as MRI scans, because the needles could shift and potentially cause life-threatening damage to arteries.
Despite the risks, acupuncture remains a popular choice for millions worldwide. In fact, a report by the U.S. National Institutes of Health noted that more than 3.1 million American adults and 150,000 children used acupuncture as part of their medical care as far back as 2007. In parts of Asia, inserting small pieces of sterile gold thread around joints is considered a common complementary treatment for arthritis.
Still, scientific evidence supporting acupuncture’s effectiveness is limited. While many patients claim short-term relief, doctors emphasize the importance of caution and professional medical advice before relying on alternative therapies.
This extraordinary case serves as a reminder of how far people will go in search of relief from chronic pain—and how critical it is to balance traditional remedies with modern medical understanding.
