Table 2 Comparison with previous studies dealing with innervation of human acetabular labrum

Kim and Azuma[10]

1995

23 cadaveric specimens

64.8

Suzuki’s Silver stain and Immunohistology for S-100

FNEs and NEOs in all specimens. More numerous in antero-superior zone in a single specimen that was used to evaluate zone-wise distribution on electron microscope

Shirai et al.[11]

2009

10 specimens harvested during THA.

-

Immunohistology for Protein Gene Product (PGP) 9.5 and TumorNecrosis Factor (TNF) alpha

Positive immunoreactivity in the weight bearing regions of OA patients. Negative in nonweightbearing region of OA patients. Negative in all the specimens from ONFH or NOF fracture group

3 groups: Osteoarthritis (OA), Osteonecrosis Femoral Head (ONFH) and fracture neck of femur (NOF)

Gerhardt et al.[12]

2012

8 hips of cadavers.

76.5

Modified Gold Chloride Staining

Highest concentration in anterior zones of labrum and closer to chondro-labral junction

10 sites of specimens from each hip.

Evaluated hip capsule, transverse acetabular ligament and ligamentum teres apart from labrum

Hawersath et al.[13]

2013

44 labral specimens from 57 patients. Evaluated antero-superior labrum only, along with ligamentum teres and capsule

55.6

H and E, Immunohistology

Evaluation of antero-superior labrum only. Pain-associated FNEs predominantly at the base of labrum (acetabular attachment), decreasing in the periphery. Highest concentration in the middle third (1 o’clock to 2 o’clock).

Current study

2013

20 specimens harvested during THA or hip resurfacing

60.5

H and E, and Immunohistology for S-100

FNEs and NEOs in all the specimens. Higher concentration in antero-superior and postero-superior zones as compared to antero-inferior and postero-inferior zones. Higher concentration superiorly and on the articular (chondral) side than the capsular side.