When doctors reviewed the X-ray scans of a 65-year-old woman from South Korea who had been suffering from intense and chronic knee pain, they stumbled upon a shocking discovery that seemed almost surreal. Instead of just seeing signs of joint damage expected with her diagnosis of osteoarthritis, the images revealed hundreds of small gold acupuncture needles embedded deep within her knee tissue, shining faintly in the black-and-white image like a hidden treasure.
According to a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the woman had long struggled with the effects of osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition where the protective cartilage in the joints wears down over time, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Standard treatments for osteoarthritis often involve pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, but in her case, these medications not only failed to bring her lasting relief but also triggered stomach discomfort that made her condition harder to bear. Faced with few options and persistent pain, she turned to acupuncture, a centuries-old alternative therapy practiced widely across Asia and increasingly adopted in the West.
Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points of the body with the belief that doing so stimulates energy pathways, restores balance, and alleviates pain or illness. While most acupuncture sessions involve inserting and then removing the needles after treatment, this woman’s therapy took an unusual turn. In her case, the needles, which were believed to be made of gold, were intentionally left in her body as part of the treatment method. The practice, sometimes referred to as “embedding therapy,” is used in some Asian countries, particularly for patients with chronic conditions like arthritis, with the belief that leaving the metal in the tissue provides ongoing stimulation and longer-term relief.
However, while the idea might sound appealing to those desperate for pain relief, medical experts have cautioned that leaving foreign objects inside the human body can come with serious risks. Dr. Ali Guermazi, a professor of radiology at Boston University who was not directly involved in the case, explained that the body naturally resists foreign objects and tries to eliminate or isolate them. This process usually begins with inflammation and may lead to the formation of fibrous tissue around the object. Over time, these reactions can cause swelling, abscesses, or infections that may become more harmful than the original condition being treated.
Guermazi further pointed out another challenge that such retained needles create—diagnostic imaging. X-rays and other scans can be obscured by the presence of metallic objects, making it harder for doctors to get a clear picture of the underlying anatomy. This can complicate the diagnosis of other conditions or injuries in the same area. Even more concerning is the impact on MRI scans, which use powerful magnetic fields. If a patient with embedded needles were placed in an MRI machine, the magnetic force could cause the needles to shift or move within the tissue, potentially damaging nearby arteries or other vital structures. Despite these warnings, acupuncture remains an incredibly popular therapy worldwide.
Although scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited, many people continue to turn to it, especially for chronic pain conditions where conventional medicine sometimes falls short. In several Asian countries, the use of gold threads or needles intentionally left in the joints is a common arthritis treatment, rooted in long-standing cultural and medical traditions. Advocates argue that gold carries special properties that enhance the therapeutic effect, though studies to validate this claim remain scarce. In the United States, acupuncture has steadily gained attention as a complementary therapy. According to data from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, an estimated 3.1 million adults and 150,000 children received acupuncture treatments in 2007.
While the practice is typically performed using sterile, removable needles by licensed professionals, cases like the South Korean woman’s highlight how different approaches to the same therapy can vary dramatically across cultures. For patients living with conditions like osteoarthritis, which can be debilitating and affect quality of life in profound ways, the appeal of trying alternative therapies is understandable. Pain that lingers day after day can lead people to seek solutions outside conventional medicine, and acupuncture often seems like a safe and natural option.
Still, experts urge caution and emphasize that patients should consult with medical professionals before pursuing treatments that involve permanent alterations to the body. The extraordinary case of the woman with golden knees underscores both the enduring human drive to find relief from pain and the risks that can come with unconventional treatments. While acupuncture may provide comfort to many, embedding needles for long-term stimulation introduces dangers that can outweigh potential benefits. Ultimately, the discovery serves as a reminder that while tradition and modern medicine can sometimes complement each other, patient safety must remain the priority.
