What Causes Electrical Sudden Onset Of Pain Of Ribs And Hip?

Posted on Thu, 27 Mar 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 27 Mar 2014 Answered on

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I was just awakened by a most unusual and frightening sensation. As I turned from left to right in my bed, I experienced what felt like an electric shock that went through my torso, back to front, covering the area between the ribs and hip on the right side of my body. It happened again to a lesser degree when I sat up to get out of bed. I've felt this in the same area several times now, just in the back - nothing like this where it made me cry out and freeze in place.

Answered by Dr. Jorge Brenes-Salazar (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Rule out peripheral neuropathy Detailed Answer: Dear patient, Thanks for your query. The electrical sudden onset of the pain, along with a limited body distribution would be suspicious for a neuropathy, particularly compressive, meaning compression of a nerve or a site of the spine by degenerative joint disease. A full neurologic detailed physical examination is in order, and depending on the results and the symptoms that you relate, imaging may be indicated, for example, an MRI which is the best way to look at nerve compressions from an anatomical standpoint. Hope this helps, yours truly Dr Brenes-Salazar MD Mayo Clinic MN

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar