What does the term 'neuropraxia' refer to?

Neuropraxia refers to a temporary loss of nerve function, typically caused by compression or injury to the nerve. In this condition, while the nerve remains intact and there is no structural damage, the ability of the nerve to conduct impulses is temporarily disrupted. This disruption usually leads to symptoms such as weakness, numbness, and tingling in the area innervated by the affected nerve. The hallmark of neuropraxia is that recovery occurs over days to weeks, as the underlying nerve structure remains intact and the conduction block resolves with time or with the removal of the compressive factor.

This contrasts with a complete nerve disruption, which would indicate a more severe injury where the nerve is either completely cut or severely damaged, resulting in loss of function without the possibility of immediate recovery. Similarly, progressive nerve degeneration would imply a chronic process leading to nerve damage over time, not a temporary condition. A form of nerve regeneration would indicate an active recovery process where nerve fibers are regrowing or reconnecting after injury, which is separate from the temporary block in conduction seen in neuropraxia.