Which statement best describes neurotmesis prognosis after peripheral nerve injury?

• A. Neurotmesis involves partial nerve injury with preserved connective tissue.
• B. Neurotmesis has a good prognosis without surgical repair.
• C. Neurotmesis is complete nerve transection with disrupted connective tissue and poor prognosis without surgical repair.
• D. Neurotmesis regrows axons rapidly on its own.

Answer: (C)

Neurotmesis is the most severe peripheral nerve injury, involving a complete cut with disruption of the connective tissue that surrounds and guides the nerve fibers. Because the axons are fully transected and their guiding tubes are torn, regenerating fibers lack a proper path to their distal targets, making functional recovery unlikely without surgical repair to reconnect and realign the nerve ends or graft supportive tissue. With surgical repair, the chances of reinnervation improve because continuity and guidance channels are restored, whereas without repair the prognosis remains poor. In contrast, injuries that preserve connective tissue or just block conduction tend to recover more readily on their own. Axons do not regrow rapidly or reliably without proper alignment and support.