Which type of neurogenic bladder is expected during spinal shock in a C5 AIS A SCI?

Which type of neurogenic bladder is expected during spinal shock in a C5 AIS A SCI?

• A. Reflexive bladder with coordinated sphincter
• B. Reflexive bladder with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia
• C. Areflexive bladder
• D. Normal bladder function

Answer: (C)

During spinal shock after a high-level complete spinal cord injury, the sacral micturition reflexes are suppressed. The detrusor muscle loses its reflex ability to contract, and the reflex pathways coordinating voiding are inactivated. The bladder becomes areflexive—no detrusor contraction and no coordinated sphincter relaxation—leading to urinary retention. That’s why an areflexive bladder is expected in a C5 AIS A injury during the acute spinal shock phase. As spinal shock resolves, reflex or dyssynergic patterns can emerge later, but normal bladder function is not seen in this early, complete injury scenario.

During spinal shock after a high-level complete spinal cord injury, the sacral micturition reflexes are suppressed. The detrusor muscle loses its reflex ability to contract, and the reflex pathways coordinating voiding are inactivated. The bladder becomes areflexive—no detrusor contraction and no coordinated sphincter relaxation—leading to urinary retention. That’s why an areflexive bladder is expected in a C5 AIS A injury during the acute spinal shock phase. As spinal shock resolves, reflex or dyssynergic patterns can emerge later, but normal bladder function is not seen in this early, complete injury scenario.