Spinal shock is best described as which of the following?

• A. A physiological reaction to depression of the cord below the SCI level, causing loss of sensorimotor function and flaccid paralysis
• B. Permanent loss of all motor function
• C. Immediate onset of spastic reflexes
• D. Hyperreflexia with preserved sensation

Answer: (A)

Spinal shock is a temporary suppression of all neural activity below the level of spinal injury. This causes loss of motor and sensory function and results in flaccid paralysis with absent reflexes in the regions served by the damaged cord. It isn’t permanent; over hours to weeks the reflexes can return and may become spastic as the spinal circuits recover and lose supraspinal inhibition. The description that emphasizes a transient depression of the cord leading to sensorimotor loss and flaccid paralysis best fits this phase. The other options describe scenarios that don’t match spinal shock: permanent motor loss, immediate spastic reflexes, or hyperreflexia with preserved sensation.