Table 1.

Grading scale for osteochondrosis lesions in the articular cartilage complex and subchondral bone tissue

	Score 1	Score 2	Score 3	Score 4	Score 5
Articular cartilage complex
Thickened cartilage (focal necrotic cartilage)*	+	+	++	++	++
Separation in osteochondral junction	–	–	+	++	++
Cleft(s) in articular cartilage	–	–	+/–	+/–	++
Subchondral bone tissue
Hyperaemia, haemorrhage	–	+	+	++	++
Necrosis/fibrosis, subchondral cysts	–	+/–	+	++	++
Extent of lesion	Minor	Small	Moderate	Extensive	Severe

Lesions were assessed as minor–small (+), moderate–extensive (++), varying presence (+/–), or not present (–). A score of 0 reflected normal tissue with no osteochondral lesions; scores 1–5 indicated increasing size and number of lesions. *Lesions that were difficult to diagnose macroscopically were examined histologically for areas of necrotic cartilage.