X-Ray Reveals Hundreds of Gold Needles in Woman’s Knees

Unexpected Discovery

Doctors examining an X-ray of a 65-year-old South Korean woman’s knees uncovered a surprising sight: hundreds of tiny gold acupuncture needles embedded in her tissue.

Her Condition

The woman had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, a disease that wears down cartilage and bone, causing pain and stiffness. Standard treatments like painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs failed to help and instead caused stomach issues, leading her to seek acupuncture.

Acupuncture Treatment

Acupuncture, a traditional practice that inserts needles into specific points on the body, is believed by some to ease pain and treat illness. In this case, the needles — reportedly gold — were intentionally left inside her knees to provide ongoing stimulation.

Potential Risks

Experts warn, however, that leaving foreign objects in the body can be dangerous. Dr. Ali Guermazi of Boston University explained that such objects may cause inflammation, abscesses, infection, and complicate X-ray readings.

Medical Concerns

“The body tries to reject foreign materials,” Guermazi noted, explaining that it often responds with inflammation or by forming fibrous tissue around the object. Additionally, patients with needles in their body cannot safely undergo MRIs, as the needles may shift and damage arteries.

Wider Practice

Despite limited scientific evidence proving its effectiveness, acupuncture remains popular, especially for joint pain. In some Asian countries, placing sterile gold threads around joints is a common arthritis treatment.

Global Use

In the U.S., acupuncture is also widely practiced. A 2007 survey estimated that 3.1 million adults and 150,000 children received acupuncture treatments that year.