Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Sudden Electric Shock Sensation In The Body?
Question: I was working near steel-grated loading dock, holding onto a rope-like strap attached to a container (I was standing on concrete while the container was on this steel platform). Styrophome boxes were being unloaded from the container and my arm (holding the strap) spasmed about a foot in the air (with one of the fingers left feeling a little weird). I was standing on concrete right next to this loading dock and I have workboots on (presumably with rubber soles). Is this a serious electric shock or something neurological underlying?
Brief Answer:
nothing to worry about
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Hope this message finds you in good health.
I have gone through your complaints and understand your concern.
I generally see many cases like this at my clinic amd we find that most of them have this because of a transient electric shock causing some sort of current to the neurological tissue in the body.
In your case, to be particular it does seem to be some kind of electric abnormal stimulation of the nerves in the arm that caused it to spasm in the air.
The concerned finger that is supplied by that nerve felt a little wierd because of the same reason.
But one thing i would like to mention is that if you had rubber insoles in work boots,you should not have gone through this kind of shock.
Needs to be found out. You can discuss this with the site managers where you work.
If you feel your fingers and arm are normal now and there is no power loss and if the wierdness has gone,there is nothing to worry about.
Still if you want to get it analysed in detail,you can get NERVE CONDUCTION VELOCITIES done for your arm to find out whether that shock actually caused any damage to your nerves .
You should eventually get back to normal in coming few days.Nothing to worry about, as long as i am there to help you.
I hope your question has been answered.
If you have any follow-up queries,feel free to consult me anytime.
Thanks,Take care,God bless. Wish you a healthy life : )
nothing to worry about
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Hope this message finds you in good health.
I have gone through your complaints and understand your concern.
I generally see many cases like this at my clinic amd we find that most of them have this because of a transient electric shock causing some sort of current to the neurological tissue in the body.
In your case, to be particular it does seem to be some kind of electric abnormal stimulation of the nerves in the arm that caused it to spasm in the air.
The concerned finger that is supplied by that nerve felt a little wierd because of the same reason.
But one thing i would like to mention is that if you had rubber insoles in work boots,you should not have gone through this kind of shock.
Needs to be found out. You can discuss this with the site managers where you work.
If you feel your fingers and arm are normal now and there is no power loss and if the wierdness has gone,there is nothing to worry about.
Still if you want to get it analysed in detail,you can get NERVE CONDUCTION VELOCITIES done for your arm to find out whether that shock actually caused any damage to your nerves .
You should eventually get back to normal in coming few days.Nothing to worry about, as long as i am there to help you.
I hope your question has been answered.
If you have any follow-up queries,feel free to consult me anytime.
Thanks,Take care,God bless. Wish you a healthy life : )
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Priyanka G Raj
Thank you for the response Doctor. It was and still is a little frightening because this hasnt happened before. I do believe that my shoes have rubber insoles but I did forget to mention that the said container does have a steel base and top (dont know if that would matter or not). I would ask though, if this was not static shock, would this indicate a serious underlying problem for a 29 year old (like a stroke or something)? I just want to know if I should go to my doc or a specialist or something .
Brief Answer:
query answered
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
it doesnt seem to be a static shock.
But there are less chances to get some kind of stroke or any brain related disease in your future age.
To be on safer side, you can always consult your doctor and get a nerve conduction study and a mri of brain ,if required.
I hope your question has been answered.
If you have any follow-up queries,feel free to consult me anytime.
If you do not have any clarifications,you can close the discussion. Wish you a good health.Have a great day : )
Take care,God bless.
YOUR RATING FOR THIS ANSWER MATTERS A LOT AND WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED.
query answered
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
it doesnt seem to be a static shock.
But there are less chances to get some kind of stroke or any brain related disease in your future age.
To be on safer side, you can always consult your doctor and get a nerve conduction study and a mri of brain ,if required.
I hope your question has been answered.
If you have any follow-up queries,feel free to consult me anytime.
If you do not have any clarifications,you can close the discussion. Wish you a good health.Have a great day : )
Take care,God bless.
YOUR RATING FOR THIS ANSWER MATTERS A LOT AND WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thank you doc. I will just ask one more, I know that youre not here to take such a scan or anything, but what do you think could cause something like this in my age? What would you assume this might be basically?
Brief Answer:
Query answered
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX
According to me, its just a transient electric shock ,which is benign in nature and generally doesn't cause any harm for a lifetime. I have mentioned the tests just to be double sure, because your health is precious to me.
My intuition says- its NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.
YOUR RATING FOR THIS ANSWER MATTERS A LOT AND WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED.
Query answered
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX
According to me, its just a transient electric shock ,which is benign in nature and generally doesn't cause any harm for a lifetime. I have mentioned the tests just to be double sure, because your health is precious to me.
My intuition says- its NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.
YOUR RATING FOR THIS ANSWER MATTERS A LOT AND WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thank you so much doctor. I really appreciate it!
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
