ISSLS prize winner: The innervation of the intervertebral disc: a quantitative analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The first quantitative analysis of the innervation of the lumbar intervertebral disc is presented.


METHODS
A sheep model was used allowing evaluation of the whole motion segment. Four sheep spines were used. One was processed for PGP 9.5 immunofluorescence and three were processed for PGP 9.5 immunoperoxidase histochemistry. A count was made of the densities of innervation of the endplate and anulus, and these were compared.


RESULTS
There is no significant difference between endplate and anulus innervation densities. The endplate innervation is concentrated centrally adjoining the nucleus. The richest area of innervation is in the perianular connective tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
The lumbar intervertebral disc has a meager innervation. This is concentrated in the perianular connective tissue and the central endplate. Although receptor threshold is more closely related to nociceptive function than innervation density, these findings have important implications for any treatment of discogenic pain.
Fagan
Andrew
A
Spine Unit, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, The University of Adelaide and the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia. andrew.fagan@adelaide.edu.au
Moore
Robert
R
Vernon Roberts
Barrie
B
Blumbergs
Peter
P
Fraser
Robert
R
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000294:innervation*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012756:Sheep; D013127:Spinal Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000737:chemistry
D015415:Biomarkers; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins