Statistical analysis
The primary outcome was the difference in WOMAC score between baseline and 12 months. In this regard, the sample size was calculated according to the results of the WOMAC score in a previous study [Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 22. Independent sample t test was used for quantitative normally distributed data and chi-square test for qualitative variables. Comparison between groups at different time points were evaluated by one-way repeated ANOVA, and Mauchly’s test of sphericity conducted for testing the assumption of sphericity to validate one-way repeated ANOVA. Furthermore, the reliability of MRI measurements was tested using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the two observations. In order to be deemed statistically significant, the 