Table 2 Clinical, micro-CT, and histological results obtained in both groups at 12 weeks

Thigh perimeter variation

(T_0+12 weeks − T₀₎*100/T₀ (%)

1.4 [− 2.3; 5.3]

− 8.3 [− 10.0; − 1.7]

–

Synovial membranes thickness (µm)

347.0 [326.5; 395.0]

418.0 [395.5; 448.5]

155.5 [142.3; 167.5]^a

ACL degeneration score (/15)

4.5 [3.6; 5.6]

10.3 [8.3; 12.4]

0

 Inflammation

0.5 [0.1; 1.6]

2.3 [2.0; 3.0]

0

 Mucoid degeneration

0.8 [0.4; 1.3]

2.0 [1.1; 2.4]

0

 Chondroid metaplasia

1.0 [0.6; 1.8]

2.5 [1.9; 2.8]

0

 Cystic changes

0 [0; 0.3]

0.8 [0.6; 2.8]

0

 Collagen fibers orientation

1.8 [1.4; 2.3]

2.0 [1.6; 2.9]

0

Bone mineral density and microarchitecture

 BMD_Left/Right

0.939 [0.899; 0.951]

0.928 [0.901; 0.951]

 Trabecular thickness_Left/Right

1.008 [0.869; 1.048]

0.992 [0.904; 1.008]

 Trabecular separation_Left/Right

0.9886 [0.8395; 1.037]

0.9775 [0.9176; 1.033]

_

 Trabecular number_Left/Right

1.019 [0.965; 1.114]

1.023 [1.006; 1.057]

 Bone volume/total volume_Left/Right

0.978 [0.945; 1.060]

0.996 [0.956; 1.024]

RAKSS score (/64)

21 [16.1; 24.8]

23.3 [19.3; 28.8]

 Micro-CT-evaluated parameters

17 [12; 21]

14 [13; 20]

6 [5.0; 8.6]^a

 MRI-evaluated parameters

3 [2.5; 3]

4 [4; 4]

–

 Mankin’s score

1.3 [0.6; 1.6]

3.8 [1.6; 6.1]

0.3 [0.0; 3.4]^a