Which phenomenon occurs immediately following spinal cord injury and is characterized by temporary loss of reflexes below the level of injury?

Spinal shock is the phenomenon that occurs immediately following a spinal cord injury and is marked by a temporary loss of reflexes below the level of the injury. This condition ensues from the disruption of normal neural communication due to the injury, leading to a state of areflexia in the affected areas. During spinal shock, individuals may experience flaccid paralysis of muscles, loss of sensation, and an absence of reflex activity, which can last from days to weeks. As the spinal cord begins to stabilize and recover, reflexes may gradually return, indicating the resolution of spinal shock.

In contrast, neurogenic shock pertains to a state of hypotension due to the loss of sympathetic nervous system tone, often accompanying spinal cord injuries but not directly related to reflex activity. Autonomic dysreflexia is a condition that can arise in individuals with spinal cord injuries, typically at or above the T6 level, characterized by an exaggerated autonomic response leading to severe hypertension and other symptoms, but it occurs long after spinal shock. Chronic pain syndrome involves persistent pain that develops over time and is not an immediate consequence of spinal cord injury.