The reasoning: what remains continuous decides the prognosis
| Seddon | Sunderland | Disrupted | Wallerian degeneration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neurapraxia | I | myelin / conduction only | no | complete, days–weeks |
| Axonotmesis | II | axon | yes | good; regrowth in intact endoneurial tube |
| III | axon + endoneurium | yes | incomplete; misdirection | |
| IV | + perineurium (epineurium intact) | yes | poor; neuroma‑in‑continuity, often needs surgery | |
| Neurotmesis | V | entire nerve | yes | none without repair |