Complications of Acupuncture Treatment: Is Septic Arthritis of Lumbar Facet Joint Possible?

Acupuncture has become a popular alternative modality in the treatment of back pain. However, few have reported complications related to this treatment modality. This study reports a rare case of septic arthritis of the lumbar facet joints, developing after acupuncture, and its devastating effects upon the patient. A 68-year-old female developed septic arthritis of the lumbar facet joints after acupuncture for symptomatic control of lumbar spondylosis and stenosis while waiting for surgery. Subsequently, successful control of the infection required a total of 4 hospital admissions over a 2-year period, a CT guided spinal biopsy and 6 months of antibiotics.