A 65-year-old woman in South Korea suffering from long-term osteoarthritis went in for routine imaging when “doctors examined the knees of a 65-year-old woman suffering from severe joint pain” and discovered an unexpected finding: hundreds of tiny gold needles embedded in her knee tissue.
She had lived with worsening joint pain for years. Osteoarthritis gradually damages cartilage and bone, causing stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility. When standard treatments like painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs failed or caused side effects, she turned to acupuncture, a traditional therapy that involves inserting thin needles into the body to relieve pain.
In her case, doctors noted the unusual approach where the gold needles were intentionally left inside the tissue as part of ongoing treatment meant to provide continuous stimulation. However, medical experts warn that this practice may carry serious risks.
As one specialist explained, “The human body doesn’t like foreign material,” and it can respond with inflammation or fibrous tissue forming around it. Experts also caution that embedded metal can interfere with scans and imaging. More dangerously, “They can obscure parts of the anatomy on an X-ray,” and patients with metal fragments should avoid MRI scans because of potential movement and injury risks.
Despite these warnings, acupuncture remains widely used in many countries for pain management. Some supporters believe implanted gold threads or needles may offer long-term relief, although scientific proof remains limited. The practice is especially common in parts of Asia, including South Korea, and has also gained smaller use in the United States, where “about 3.1 million American adults and 150,000 children received acupuncture treatments in 2007.”
The woman’s case, later published in a medical journal, serves as a reminder that even widely accepted alternative treatments can carry hidden dangers. Doctors emphasize that patients should carefully consider risks before choosing unconventional therapies, as what appears helpful may sometimes lead to serious complications.
