When a 65-year-old woman in South Korea visited doctors for chronic knee pain, they discovered something unexpected — dozens of tiny gold acupuncture needles embedded around her knees. The unusual finding quickly drew attention in the medical world. The woman had long struggled with osteoarthritis, a condition that wears down joint cartilage and causes stiffness, swelling, and persistent pain. Everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or bending had become difficult.
Traditional painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications provided little relief and caused stomach discomfort, so she turned to acupuncture, a traditional treatment used to reduce pain. In some cases, tiny gold needles or threads are intentionally left in the body to provide continuous stimulation. However, medical experts warn that leaving foreign objects inside the body can pose risks.
Embedded needles may lead to inflammation, infection, or abscesses, and the body may react by forming fibrous tissue around them. Doctors also note that such objects can complicate medical imaging. The presence of metal may obscure X-ray results and can make MRI scans dangerous, as metal fragments could move and damage nearby tissue or blood vessels.
Although acupuncture remains popular worldwide for treating joint pain, scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited. The woman’s case highlights both the appeal and the potential risks of alternative treatments, showing how efforts to relieve chronic pain can sometimes lead to surprising — and unusual — medical discoveries.