A total of 70 patients were enrolled into this study, of whom 10 were excluded (Figure 5). The remaining 60 patients were randomized into the TM, THC, and ibuprofen groups (20 patients per group). In the ibuprofen group, two patients withdrew from the study during the first week due to intolerance to the gastrointestinal adverse effects. The three treatment groups were not significantly different in baseline characteristics and baseline data for the major outcome assessment (VAS, Lequesne’s functional index and time for climbing up ten steps) (Table 2). During the entire study period, the rates of adherence to treatment in the TM and THC group were 100%, whereas the rate of compliance with medication in the ibuprofen group was 90%.