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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Pain In Hand And Wrist After Electrocution?

Yesterday I was unplugging my laptop with my right hand and touched the metal part by accident and got electrocuted. Just my right hand and wrist were shaking but it startled me. Soon after I had soreness in my right hand, my whole body felt jittery, pain in my chest and headache. Today my hand and wrist are sore, slight pain in chest, and headache. Nothing to worry about or should I go to a doctor?
Tue, 27 Jan 2015
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Radiologist,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.

Electrocution is an injury that is due to passage of current through the body. The electricity can take the shortest route through the body and in to the earth. This has happened in your case as the current has taken the route through the right hand and probably the right side of the body. While it might be a minor shock and you seem to be doing fine, since you are having chest discomfort therefore it will help to do a ECG if required. This is because electrocution can interfere with the normal low voltage current flowing through the heart and cause change in rhythmicity. The other concern will be any changes in color of urine due to increased protein destruction in the muscles involved by electrocution. Essentially there is nothing to worry about if you do not experience changes in heart rate of urine formation.
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What Causes Pain In Hand And Wrist After Electrocution?

Hi, Thanks for writing in. Electrocution is an injury that is due to passage of current through the body. The electricity can take the shortest route through the body and in to the earth. This has happened in your case as the current has taken the route through the right hand and probably the right side of the body. While it might be a minor shock and you seem to be doing fine, since you are having chest discomfort therefore it will help to do a ECG if required. This is because electrocution can interfere with the normal low voltage current flowing through the heart and cause change in rhythmicity. The other concern will be any changes in color of urine due to increased protein destruction in the muscles involved by electrocution. Essentially there is nothing to worry about if you do not experience changes in heart rate of urine formation.