When a South Korean woman in her sixties sought relief from arthritis pain, she tried acupuncture using gold needles placed directly into her knees. Later imaging found these needles still embedded, surprising her doctors.
Dr. Ali Guermazi noted that such foreign objects can trigger inflammation and complicate medical imaging, sometimes hiding important details on X-rays. The body responds by surrounding the needles with fibrous tissue.
MRI scans may be unsafe because metal can move and cause damage.
While the science behind acupuncture is mixed, many continue to use it for chronic pain relief. This case highlights both benefits and risks of alternative medicine.
Her gold-filled knees show how treatments can leave behind more than just relief—they leave physical traces that doctors must consider.
