Table 1

Seddon’s classification of nerve injury4 6

Seddon’s classificationNeuropathologyPrognosis
Neuropraxia

  1. Mildest form of peripheral nerve injury

  2. Localised myelin injury causing conduction failure

  3. Axon and supporting connective tissues (perineurium, endoneurium and Schwann cells) are intact

  4. No Wallerian degeneration

Full recovery within days to 3 months
Axonotemesis

  1. Axon and myelin sheath injury

  2. Supporting connective tissue structures intact

  3. Likely Wallerian degeneration

  4. Likely axonal regeneration

Full recovery requiring several months
Neurotmesis

  1. Complete injury to axon and supporting connective tissue structures

  2. No nerve conduction distal to injury site

  3. Wallerian degeneration

Full recovery unlikely without surgical intervention