Table 1B.
The ICRS ranking scale of the histology observation.
| Histologic appearance | Points |
|---|---|
| I Surface | |
| Smooth/level with normal | 4 |
| Smooth | 3 |
| Irregular | 2 |
| Clefts | 1 |
| Clefts to bone | 0 |
| II Matrix | |
| Hyaline-like cartilage | 3 |
| Hyaline and fibrocartilage | 2 |
| Fibrocartilage | 1 |
| Nonchondrocytic cells | 0 |
| III Cell distribution | |
| Columnar | 3 |
| Mixed/columnar clusters | 2 |
| Clusters | 1 |
| Individual cells/disorganized | 0 |
| IV Subchondral bone | |
| Normal | 3 |
| Mostly reshaped | 2 |
| Necrosten/crude tissue | 1 |
| Irregular/fracture | 0 |
| V Integration with surrounding cartilage | |
| Complete | 2 |
| Minor disruption (<25% of area) | 1 |
| Major disruption (>25% of area) | 0 |
| VI Cartilage mineralization | |
| Normal | 3 |
| Abnormal/heterotopic calcification | 0 |