What are the symptoms of a complete L3 spinal cord injury shortly after the incident?

A complete L3 spinal cord injury results in a specific set of symptoms due to the loss of all motor and sensory function below the level of the injury. The key feature of this type of injury is the total absence of sensation and movement in regions innervated by spinal nerves below the L3 vertebra. This means that sensation is entirely absent below this level, which includes the areas of the legs and feet.

While bowel and bladder control issues often arise from spinal cord injuries, these are typically associated with injuries at or below the sacral level. Furthermore, sensory recovery over time is more related to incomplete injuries, and while loss of movement in the legs is common, it isn't directly summarized by only focusing on sensation.

Thus, the correct answer highlights the significant impact of a complete spinal cord injury, which is the total loss of sensation below the injury level. This understanding is crucial for professionals in orthotics and prosthetics to develop appropriate treatment and management strategies for individuals with such injuries.