Fig. 3.

The cartilage showed different structure changes in the three groups in histology at 12 weeks postoperatively. A In group I, the cartilage remained normal shape and layering (hematoxylin and eosin stain; original magnification, ×100). B In group II, the cartilage matrix reduced and the cartilaginous tissue layer was not so clear and tidy (haematoxylin and eosin stain; original magnification, ×100). C In group III, the cartilage matrix reduced more and the layer of cartilaginous tissue was deranged (hematoxylin and eosin stain; original magnification, ×100)