Doctors in South Korea have discovered an unusual cause of a woman’s chronic knee pain: hundreds of tiny gold threads embedded in her joint tissue. The discovery was made after the 63-year-old patient sought medical attention for severe osteoarthritis and pain that had not been resolved by other treatments.

X-rays and CT scans of her knees revealed a surprising sight: a dense network of thin, shiny threads that were later identified as pure gold. Doctors determined the material was the result of a traditional, non-scientific practice known as "gold-thread acupuncture," where sterile gold threads are inserted into the body to provide continuous stimulation.

While this alternative therapy is used in some parts of Asia for conditions like joint pain and inflammation, medical professionals caution that there is no scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. Furthermore, the practice can lead to complications such as inflammation, infection, and interference with diagnostic imaging. Doctors warn that patients who rely on such unproven treatments may delay seeking proper medical care, potentially allowing their underlying condition to worsen. The story is from Oddity Central.