Classification systems are used by doctors to assess the extent of arthritis in the joint.
A number of elements are deemed important when assessing what interventions might be helpful in trying to contain the arthritic process surgically:
Structural Classifications
Structural classifications record objectively the extent and depth of the joint cartilage damage. This helps the surgeon to follow the progression or improvement of the structural damage. A commonly used classification is the Outerbridge Classification:
- Grade 0: normal cartilage
- Grade I: cartilage with softening and swelling
- Grade II: partial-thickness defect with fissures on the surface that do not reach the underlying bone or exceed 1.5 cm in diameter
- Grade III: fissures to the level of underlyingbone in an area with a diameter more than 1.5 cm
- Grade IV: exposed underlying bone.
Functional Classifications
Functional classifications reflect the degree of disability suffered by the patient with joint damage, eg Lysholm score, WOMAC score.
Other classification systems
- Insall classification
- Goodfellow classification
- Casscells classification
- Ficat & Hungerford classification
- Cincinnati Knee Rating System
- SFA system
- ICRS system
- Hunt classification
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