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Table 2 Histological grading scale for the defects of cartilage

From: Silk fibroin hydrogel scaffolds incorporated with chitosan nanoparticles repair articular cartilage defects by regulating TGF-β1 and BMP-2

Category

Score

Cell morphology

 Hyaline cartilage

0

 Mostly hyaline cartilage

1

 Mostly fibrocartilage

2

 Mostly non-cartilage

3

 Non-cartilage only

4

Matrix staining

 Normal

0

 Slightly reduced

1

 Markedly reduced

2

 No metachromatic stain

3

Surface regularity*

 Smooth (> 3/4)

0

 Moderate (> 1/2–3/4)

1

 Irregular (1/4–1/2)

2

 Severely irregular (< 1/4)

3

Thickness of cartilage#

 > 2/3

0

 1/3–2/3

1

 < 1/3

2

Integration of donor with adjacent host cartilage

 Both edges integrated

0

 One edge integrated

1

 Neither edge integrated

2

 Total maximum

14

  1. *Total smooth area of the reparative cartilage compared with the entire area of the cartilage defect
  2. #Average thickness of the reparative cartilage compared with that of the surrounding cartilage