Table 1.

Cartilage evaluation according to the Mankin system.

Criteria	Score	Histological finding
Structure	0	Smooth intact surface
	1	Slight surface irregularities
	2	Pannus/surface fibrillation
	3	Clefts into transitional zone
	4	Clefts into radial zone
	5	Clefts into calcified zone
	6	Total disorganization
Cells	0	Uniform cell distribution
	1	Diffuse cell proliferation
	2	Cell clustering
	3	Cell loss
Toluidin staining	0	Uniform staining
	1	Minor discoloration
	2	Moderate discoloration
	3	Severe discoloration
	4	Total discoloration
Tidemark integrity	0	Intact
	1	Vascularity