An American woman has just discovered she's been living with a knife in her neck for 3 years.

Surgeons apparently failed to remove the knife completely, after she was stabbed by a burglar.

Doctors at the time noted she had a knife wound, and stitched it up, according to reports.

Edith McQueen from Florida put up with the pain in her neck until it showed up on an x-ray recently.

She was apparently due to have an MRI after that, which could have been fatal if the blade had still been there.

It was lodged near her spine, but hasn't caused any permanent damage.

Officials at the Shands Hospital won't comment on the case. Her laywer says the knife hasn't been removed and that they're working to find a solution.