Table 2.
International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) visual histological assessment scale for cartilage repair
| Feature | Point |
| I. Surface | |
| Smooth/continuous | 3 |
| Discontinuities/irregularities | 0 |
| II. Matrix | |
| Hyaline | 3 |
| Mixture: hyaline/fibrocartilage | 2 |
| Fibrocartilage | 1 |
| Fibrous tissue | 0 |
| III. Cell distribution | |
| Columnar | 3 |
| Mixed/columnar clusters | 2 |
| Clusters | 1 |
| Individual cells/disorganized | 0 |
| IV. Cell population viability | |
| Predominantly viable | 3 |
| Partially viable | 1 |
| <10% viable | 0 |
| V. Subchondral bone | |
| Normal | 3 |
| Increased remodeling | 2 |
| Bone necrosis/granulation tissue | 1 |
| Detached/fracture/callus at base | 0 |
| VI. Cartilage mineralization (calcified cartilage) | |
| Normal | 3 |
| Abnormal/inappropriate location | 0 |
Mainil-Varlet et al., 2003