Table 1.

The components of the modified Mankin scoring system

Structure	Cellularity	Matrix staining	Tidemark integrity	Score
Smooth surface/normal	Normal arrangement	Normal staining	Normal and intact	0
Roughened surface/single crack or area of deamination	Clustering in superficial layer or loss of cells up to 10%	Slight loss of stain	Disrupted	1
Multiple cracks/moderate delamination	Disorganisation or loss up to 25%	Moderate loss of stain	X	2
Fragmentation in cartilage or severe delamination	Cell rows absent or loss to 50%	Severe loss of stain	X	3
Loss of fragments	Very few cells present	No stain present	X	4
Complete erosion to tidemark	x	X	X	5
Erosion beyond tidemark	X	X	X	6