Table 1 Histological scoring system for cartilage repair

Cell morphology

   Hyaline cartilage

4

   Mostly hyaline cartilage

3

   Mostly fibrocartilage

2

   Mostly non-cartilage

1

   Noncartilage only

0

Matrix-staining (metachromasia)

   Normal (compared with host adjacent cartilage)

3

   Slightly reduces

2

   Markedly reduced

1

   No metachromatic stain

0

Surface regularity^a

   Smooth (>3/4)

3

   Moderate (1/2 to 3/4)

2

   Irregular (1/4 to 1/2)

1

   Severely irregular (<1/4)

0

Thickness of cartilage^b

   2/3 to 4/3

3

   5/3 to 4/3

2

   1/3 to 2/3 or >5/3

1

   <1/3

0

Integration of donor with host adjacent cartilage

   Both edges integrated

2

   One edge integrated

1

   Neither edge integrated

0

Total maximum

15