Younger the patients, better the prognosis, because of better healing capacity of young tissues. Young children can recover almost normal nerve function. In contrast, a patient over 60 years old with a cut nerve in the hand would expect to recover only protective sensory function, that is, the ability to distinguish hot/cold or sharp/dull; recovery of motor function would be likely incomplete.
Age is a critical factor in determining the potential for nerve recovery. Young patients tend to have more favorable outcomes due to their tissues' enhanced capacity for regeneration. In contrast, elderly patients often experience incomplete recovery of both sensory and motor functions.