Spine and Spinal cord injury - Mahidol University

Spinal shock
• The exact mechanism is unknown but may
be related to temporary electrolyte or
neurotransmitter effects on impulse
conduction
• Etiologies: primary axonal and cellular
dysfunction, ionic conduction block caused
by sodium/potassium shift, maintenance of
spinal inhibitory pathways, hyperpolarization
of caudal neurons, and loss of fusimotor
drive in caudal spinal segments.