Table 1.
Modified degeneration score according to Boos et al. [27]
| Degeneration parameter | Characteristic feature | Score (total 36) |
|---|---|---|
| Intervertebral disc | ||
| Cells | No proliferation/ | 0 |
| Increased cell density/ | 1 | |
| Connection of two chondrocytes/ | 2 | |
| Small size clones/ | 3 | |
| Moderate size clones/ | 4 | |
| Huge size clones | 5 | |
| Granular changes | None/rare/intermediate/abundantly | 0/1/2/3 |
| Neovascularization | Absent/present | 0/1 |
| Rim lesions | None/rare/intermediate/abundantly | 0/1/2/3 |
| Concentric tears | None/rare/intermediate/abundantly | 0/1/2/3 |
| Radial tears | None/rare/intermediate/abundantly | 0/1/2/3 |
| Scar formation | Absent/present | 0/1 |
| Tissue defects | Absent/present | 0/1 |
| Endplate | ||
| Cells | None/rare/intermediate/abundantly | 0/1/2/3 |
| Structural disorganization | None/rare/intermediate/abundantly | 0/1/2/3 |
| Clefts | None/rare/intermediate/abundantly | 0/1/2/3 |
| Microfracture | None/rare/intermediate/abundantly | 0/1/2/3 |
| Neovascularization | Absent/present | 0/1 |
| New bone formation | Absent/present | 0/1 |
| Scar formation | Absent/present | 0/1 |
| Tissue defects | Absent/present | 0/1 |