Doctors Stunned After Looking At This X-Ray Of Woman Suffering Joint Pain

A routine medical check turned into a startling revelation when doctors in South Korea examined the knees of a 65-year-old woman suffering from severe joint pain. What appeared on her X-ray shocked them: hundreds of tiny gold needles embedded deep within her tissue.

The woman had long struggled with osteoarthritis, a painful condition that gradually wears down cartilage and bone in the joints, leading to swelling, stiffness, and limited mobility. Traditional treatments like anti-inflammatory medications and painkillers not only failed to bring her lasting relief but also caused uncomfortable side effects, including stomach issues. Seeking another path, she turned to acupuncture, a traditional therapy practiced for centuries in Asia.

Acupuncture typically involves inserting fine needles into the skin at specific points to relieve pain or restore balance in the body. In her case, however, doctors discovered that the needles had been intentionally left behind as part of a specialized treatment plan. The idea was that the embedded gold would provide continuous stimulation to her aching joints.

While some practitioners advocate for this method, experts caution it comes with serious risks. Dr. Ali Guermazi, a radiology professor at Boston University, explained that leaving any foreign object in the body can provoke inflammation, infection, or even abscesses. “The human body doesn’t like foreign material,” he noted. “It reacts defensively, often by forming scar tissue around the object.”

There are also dangers in terms of medical imaging. Metal fragments can obscure key details on X-rays, and patients with retained needles face significant risks if ever exposed to MRI scans, since the strong magnetic field could shift the needles, potentially puncturing blood vessels.

Despite these concerns, variations of gold thread or permanent needle acupuncture remain common in parts of Asia and have even gained limited popularity in the U.S. Still, scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness is scarce.

The South Korean woman’s case, documented in the *New England Journal of Medicine*, highlights the fine line between alternative healing and hazardous intervention. While her treatment was meant to ease pain, it stands as a reminder that patients must carefully weigh both the benefits and potential dangers before pursuing unconventional therapies.