Since the Second World War and following Herbert Seddon it is customary to classify the peripheral nerve lesions into 3 types.
Classification of SeddonConsidering the severity, these types of the Seddon classification are: Neuropraxia
Also called axonopraxia. It is the condition in which, as a result of a polytraumatic accident, contusion, compression or ischemia, there is failure or loss of nerve conduction due to a cut, without being able to demonstrate structural damage to the nerve. There is no Wallerian degeneration. The only microscopic alteration could be fragmentation of the myelin sheath in relation to the traumatized area. Axonotmesis
Nerve injury of the axon distal to the site of the injury. Elongation of the fibers. However, the regeneration of the axon is spontaneous and of good quality, since the intact endoneural tubes guide the axoplasmic buds to their own peripheral connections. It can be produced by crushing, traction and compression. Neurotmesis
Any nerve injury (partial or complete) with complete disruption of the axon and its myelin sheath. The damage of connective tissue elements consists of a complete or partial anatomical section, or intraneural fibrosis. Although, in appearance, the macroscopic continuity of the nerve is maintained, spontaneous regeneration can not occur. The loss of nerve function is complete (sensitive or motor) and the only possibility of recovery is surgery.
wiki
