Table 1 Randomised patient characteristics at baseline

Female

53 (54.6)

61 (62.9)

Age (years)

61.4 ± 9.3

61.3 ± 8.5

Body mass index (kg/m²)

30.1 ± 5.8

32.3 ± 5.8

At least one previous medical condition

86 (88.7)

86 (88.7)

At least one active medical condition

96 (99.0)

97 (100.0)

 Lateral compartment

4613 ± 1755

4405 ± 1157

  Condyle

2621 ± 1073

2476 ± 716

  Plateau

1993 ± 799

1930 ± 540

 Medial compartment

4515 ± 1537

4255 ± 1217

  Condyle

2807 ± 971

2646 ± 779

  Plateau

1708 ± 623

1609 ± 489

Synovial membrane thickness (mm)

1.0 ± 0.2

1.0 ± 0.2

BML score (global knee)^a

2.6 ± 3.0

2.7 ± 2.5

Synovial fluid volume (ml)

13.8 ± 14.6

10.8 ± 10.9

  Swelling

76 (78.4)

78 (80.4)

  Effusion

76 (78.4)

71 (73.2)

  Both

59 (60.8)

55 (56.7)

Pain VAS (mm)^a

62.42 ± 15.51

59.26 ± 18.10

  Total score (0–240)

124.9 ± 38.1

126.7 ± 43.9

  Pain score (0–50)

25.6 ± 8.1

25.5 ± 9.0

  Stiffness score (0–20)

10.8 ± 3.7

11.7 ± 4.3

  Physical function score (0–170)

88.5 ± 28.7

89.5 ± 32.5

  Physical component summary

35.4 ± 7.8

35.7 ± 8.1

  Mental component summary

51.7 ± 9.5

52.7 ± 11.0