What is meant by spinal shock following an injury?

Spinal shock refers to a temporary condition that occurs immediately following a spinal cord injury. During this phase, there is a loss of reflexes and motor function below the level of the injury. This state can last for days to weeks and is characterized by a sudden drop in sensorimotor function due to the disruption in communication between the brain and the affected areas of the body.

This temporary loss of reflexes is the body’s response to the trauma where the nervous system becomes nonfunctional at that injury site, leading to flaccid paralysis and absence of any reflex activity. As the individual begins to recover from spinal shock, reflexes may gradually return, indicating the potential for some level of recovery in neurological function. Understanding spinal shock is crucial for clinicians as it guides prognosis and management following spinal cord injuries.