Figure 6.

Evaluation and scoring of caprine cartilage repair after three months. The macroscopic state of the defect filling (i.e., Zone 0) was graded, as well as the health of cartilage tissue immediately surrounding the defect zone within 4 mm (i.e., defect rim, Zone 1), the tissue beyond the 4 mm demarcation (i.e., adjacent margin, Zone 2), and the surrounding tissue (i.e., distal margin, Zone 3). Macroscopic repair scoring was performed using the defect filling score and a modified Outerbridge score scale. Histologic scoring of repair was performed using a modified O’Driscoll score scale (i.e., for Zones 0 and 1) and the Little score scale (i.e., for Zones 2 and 3), respectively. Synovitis scoring was performed using the Krenn score scale and a modified Rooney score scale. Measurement and scoring of endpoint defect size, bone marrow edema, and subchondral bone sclerosis were performed based on post-sacrifice MRI data. Data are presented as mean values with standard deviations as error bars. (*) p < 0.05.