The histological-histochemical grading system for osteoarthritic articular cartilage
| Category | Subcategory | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | normal | 0 |
| surface irregularities | 1 | |
| pannus and surface irregularities | 2 | |
| clefts to transitional zone | 3 | |
| clefts to radial zone | 4 | |
| clefts to calcified zone | 5 | |
| complete disorganisation | 6 | |
| Cells | normal | 0 |
| diffuse hypercellularity | 1 | |
| cloning | 2 | |
| hypocellularity | 3 | |
| Safranin O staining | normal | 0 |
| slight reduction | 1 | |
| moderate reduction | 2 | |
| severe reduction | 3 | |
| no dye noted | 4 | |
| Tidemark integrity | intact | 0 |
| crossed by blood vessels | 1 | |
| Total | 0–14 |