Table 1.
Scoring System for Histological Evaluation of Cartilage Degeneration9
| Points | |
|---|---|
| Loss of superficial layer | |
| <Slight | 1 |
| Moderate | 2 |
| Focally severe | 3 |
| Extensively severe | 4 |
| Erosion of cartilage | |
| <Detectable | 1 |
| Moderate | 2 |
| Focally severe | 3 |
| Extensively severe | 4 |
| Fibrillation and/or fissures | |
| <Noticeable (<1 very small) | 1 |
| Moderate (1 small) | 2 |
| Marked (2 small or 1 medium) | 3 |
| Extensive (3 small, 2 medium, or 1 large) | 4 |
| Loss of proteoglycan | |
| <Paler stain than control | 1 |
| Moderate loss of Safranin-O stain | 2 |
| Marked loss of Safranin-O stain | 3 |
| Total loss of Safranin-O stain | 4 |
| Disorganization of chondrocytes | |
| Noticeable | 1 |
| Moderate, with some loss of columns | 2 |
| Marked loss of columns | 3 |
| No recognizable organization | 4 |
| Loss of chondrocytes | |
| <Noticeable decrease in cells | 1 |
| Moderate decrease in cells | 2 |
| Marked decrease in cells | 3 |
| Very extensive decrease in cells | 4 |
| Exposure of subchondral bone | |
| <Focal exposure of bone | 1 |
| Moderate exposure of bone | 2 |
| Fairly extensive exposure of bone | 3 |
| Very extensive exposure of bone | 4 |
| Cluster formation | |
| <3-4 small or 1-2 medium | 1 |
| 5-6 small, 3-4 medium, or 1-2 large | 2 |
| 7 or more medium or 5-6 large | 3 |
| 7 or more small, 5-6 medium, or 3-4 large | 4 |