The validity of in vivo ultrasonographic grading of osteoarthritic femoral condylar cartilage: a comparison with in vitro ultrasonographic and histologic gradings C.-L. Lee, M.D., M.S., M.-H. Huang, M.D., Ph.D., C.-Y. Chai, M.D., Ph.D., C.-H. Chen, M.D., Ph.D., J.-Y. Su, M.D., Y.-C. Tien, M.D., Ph.D. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Volume 16, Issue 3, Pages 352-358 (March 2008) DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2007.07.013 Copyright © 2007 Osteoarthritis Research Society International Terms and Conditions
Fig. 1 US grading of OA cartilage (indicating the area inside the square mark). Grade 1: blurred margin or partial lack of the clarity, without thickness change. Grade 2: blurred margin and partial lack of the clarity, without thickness change. Grade 3: blurred margin and complete lack of the clarity. Grade 4: difficult-defined margin and the complete-opaque band. Grade 5: marked thickness change. Grade 6: no visualized cartilage band. Gr: Grade. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2008 16, 352-358DOI: (10.1016/j.joca.2007.07.013) Copyright © 2007 Osteoarthritis Research Society International Terms and Conditions
Fig. 2 Two transverse areas, anterior (arrowheads) and middle (white arrows), were chosen on both medial and lateral condyle specimens for US examination. Then they were marked with gentian violet for localization of histologic examination. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2008 16, 352-358DOI: (10.1016/j.joca.2007.07.013) Copyright © 2007 Osteoarthritis Research Society International Terms and Conditions
Fig. 3 The histologic grading and characteristics of OA cartilage. Grade 1: flaking (A) and superficial fibrillation (B). Grade 2: chondrocyte enlargement (C) and hyalinization (D). Grade 3: deep fibrillation (E) and pitting (F). Grade 4: partial cartilage loss (G) or complete cartilage loss (H). HE stain, 40×. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2008 16, 352-358DOI: (10.1016/j.joca.2007.07.013) Copyright © 2007 Osteoarthritis Research Society International Terms and Conditions