A 65-year-old woman from South Korea seeking relief from knee pain found something unexpected during her medical examination. Living with osteoarthritis, she had long struggled with joint stiffness, swelling, and persistent pain that made everyday activities difficult. Traditional painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs worked poorly for her and caused unpleasant stomach problems.
Turning to acupuncture, a centuries-old treatment that uses needles to ease pain, the woman received a unique therapy. Gold needles were inserted into her knees and intentionally left in place to provide ongoing stimulation. This practice is common in some Asian countries as a method to treat arthritis.
However, leaving needles inside the body carries risks. Dr. Ali Guermazi, a radiology professor at Boston University, explained that foreign objects like needles can trigger inflammation, infections, or abscesses. They also make it harder for doctors to interpret X-rays correctly because the needles can obscure important details.
The body views such objects as invaders and may react by creating protective fibrous tissue or chronic inflammation around them. This foreign body reaction can complicate the patient’s health.
Leaving needles inside also poses dangers during MRI scans since the metal can move and potentially harm nearby arteries.
While scientific proof of acupuncture’s effectiveness is limited, the treatment remains popular around the world. In the U.S. alone, millions of adults and thousands of children undergo acupuncture.
For this woman, the gold needles in her knees serve as a literal treasure trove, but also a reminder that alternative treatments may leave more lasting marks than expected.
