Innervation of spinal ligaments of patients with disc herniation. An immunohistochemical study

The purpose of this work was to demonstrate whether neural elements are present in the spinal ligaments removed from patients with disc herniation. The tissue samples were stained by an immunohistochemical technique using antibodies to neurofilament protein (NFP) subunits as specific markers. Numerous NFP-immunoreactive nerve fibers and free nerve endings were demonstrated within the ligamentous structures. These findings were discussed relative to the low-back pain of disc herniated patients.