An Anatomical and Immunohistochemical Characterization of Afferents Innervating the C6–C7 Facet Joint After Painful Joint Loading in the Rat

Abstract

The greatest number of afferents from the C6-C7 facet joint has cell bodies in the C7 DRG, implicating this level as the most relevant for pain from this joint. In addition, peptidergic afferents seem to have an important role in facet joint-mediated pain.