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Related Experiment Videos

Acupuncture complication--a case report.

Bernard S Patrick1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, USA.

Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Association
|August 27, 2005
PubMed
Summary

A broken acupuncture needle migrated and compressed a spinal nerve root for 28 years, causing severe pain. Surgical removal relieved the chronic pain, highlighting serious potential complications from acupuncture.

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Surgical Case Reports
  • Medical Device Complications

Background:

  • Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy involving needle insertion.
  • Complications from acupuncture are considered rare, but can occur.
  • This case highlights a delayed and severe complication.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with chronic lower back pain due to a migrated, broken acupuncture needle.
  • The needle, inserted 28 years prior, had impinged the L5 nerve root.
  • Severe neuropathic pain was the primary symptom.

Findings:

  • Surgical removal of the migrated acupuncture needle successfully relieved the patient's chronic pain.
  • A review of global literature revealed a significant number of serious complications associated with acupuncture.
  • These complications ranged from infections to nerve damage and organ perforation.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering retained foreign bodies in patients with unexplained chronic pain.
  • Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential for serious, delayed complications from acupuncture.
  • Further research into acupuncture safety and complication reporting is warranted.

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