Cartilage degeneration is assessed using various methods. Although macroscopic evaluation can directly measure cartilage degeneration, it cannot accurately assess cartilage properties. Histological examination is one of the most accurate methods for evaluating cartilage degeneration. However, it is invasive and requires collection of cartilage tissue. In contrast, the Arthro-BST™ probe can assess cartilage properties noninvasively. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Arthro-BST in assessing cartilage degeneration by comparing macroscopic (International Cartilage Repair Society [ICRS] classification) and histological evaluations (modified Mankin score and Osteoarthritis Research Society International [OARSI] histological grade). Fourteen femoral heads were excised from 13 patients during surgery to treat hip osteoarthritis or femoral fracture. The ICRS score was used for macroscopic evaluation of cartilage degeneration. The Arthro-BST was applied at sites matching the areas of cartilage damage. The sites assessed using the ICRS classification and Arthro-BST were evaluated histologically (modified Mankin score and OARSI histological grade), and these were compared with the Arthro-BST results. The ICRS classification identified significant differences between grades 1 and 3 (p < 0.01), between grades 1 and 4 (p < 0.01), between grades 2 and 3 (p < 0.01), and between grades 2 and 4 (p < 0.01). Significant correlations were observed between the Arthro-BST results and the ICRS score, modified Mankin score (structure, cellularity, matrix staining, total score), and OARSI histological grade. In the assessment of hip osteoarthritis, the Arthro-BST results correlated with those of macroscopic and histological evaluations. The Arthro-BST is useful for assessing hip osteoarthritis and may be helpful for noninvasive assessment of cartilage degeneration.

中文翻译：

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使用机电评估 (Arthro-BST™) 确定的特性与有症状的人类髋关节软骨的宏观和组织学特性的比较

使用各种方法评估软骨退化。虽然宏观评估可以直接测量软骨退化，但不能准确评估软骨特性。组织学检查是评估软骨退变最准确的方法之一。然而，它是侵入性的，需要收集软骨组织。相比之下，Arthro-BST™ 探针可以无创评估软骨特性。本研究旨在通过比较宏观（国际软骨修复协会 [ICRS] 分类）和组织学评估（改良 Mankin 评分和骨关节炎研究协会国际 [OARSI] 组织学分级）来评估 Arthro-BST 在评估软骨退化方面的有效性。在治疗髋骨关节炎或股骨骨折的手术中，从 13 名患者身上切除了 14 个股骨头。ICRS评分用于软骨退变的宏观评估。Arthro-BST 应用于与软骨损伤区域相匹配的部位。对使用 ICRS 分类和 Arthro-BST 评估的部位进行组织学评估（改良 Mankin 评分和 OARSI 组织学分级），并将这些与 Arthro-BST 结果进行比较。ICRS 分类确定了 1 级和 3 级之间 (p < 0.01)、1 级和 4 级之间 (p < 0.01)、2 级和 3 级之间 (p < 0.01) 以及 2 级和 4 级之间 (p < 0.01) 的显着差异. 在 Arthro-BST 结果与 ICRS 评分、改良 Mankin 评分（结构、细胞结构、基质染色、总分）、和 OARSI 组织学分级。在髋骨关节炎的评估中，Arthro-BST 结果与宏观和组织学评估结果相关。Arthro-BST 可用于评估髋骨关节炎，并可能有助于无创评估软骨退化。