Skip to main content

Table 1 Grading scale for osteochondrosis lesions in the articular cartilage complex and subchondral bone tissue

From: Effects of free-range and confined housing on joint health in a herd of fattening pigs

 

Score 1

Score 2

Score 3

Score 4

Score 5

Articular cartilage complex

Thickened cartilage (focal necrotic cartilage)*

+

+

++

++

++

Separation in osteochondral junction

-

-

+

++

++

Cleft(s) in articular cartilage

-

-

+/-

+/-

++

Subchondral bone tissue

Hyperaemia, haemorrhage

-

+

+

++

++

Necrosis/fibrosis, subchondral cysts

-

+/-

+

++

++

Extent of lesion

Minor

Small

Moderate

Extensive

Severe

  1. Lesions were assessed as minor-small (+), moderate-extensive (++), varying presence (+/-), or not present (-). A score of 0 reflected normal tissue with no osteochondral lesions; scores 1-5 indicated increasing size and number of lesions. *Lesions that were difficult to diagnose macroscopically were examined histologically for areas of necrotic cartilage.