A routine X-ray revealed a shocking surprise: hundreds of tiny gold needles embedded in the knees of a 65-year-old woman with severe joint pain.

The woman, from South Korea, had suffered from osteoarthritis for years and turned to acupuncture after standard treatments failed or caused side effects like stomach problems.

Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles at specific points to relieve pain, but in this case, gold needles were intentionally left in her tissue for continuous stimulation.

But experts warn this approach carries serious risks. Dr. Ali Guermazi explained that leaving foreign objects in the body can trigger inflammation, infection, or abscesses, and interfere with future medical imaging.

Despite these dangers, gold thread acupuncture remains common in parts of Asia, including South Korea, where practitioners claim long-lasting benefits, though scientific evidence is limited. Cases like this illustrate the need for caution when considering extreme alternative therapies.

Doctors emphasize that patients should carefully weigh potential benefits and risks before pursuing unconventional treatments. What seems harmless can have serious consequences, and informed decisions are essential to avoid dangerous complications.