Results
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%.