Comparison 10. Sensitivity analysis (mean pain and function at 3 months).

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
10.1 Pain at 3 months (low vs high or unclear risk of selection bias)	8	523	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.16 [‐0.60, 0.29]
10.1.1 Adequate allocation concealment	4	166	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.40 [‐0.27, 1.08]
10.1.2 Unclear or inadequate	4	357	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.53 [‐1.08, 0.02]
10.2 Function at 3 months (low vs unclear or high selection bias)	8	502	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐1.86 [‐4.97, 1.25]
10.2.1 Adequate	5	235	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.01 [‐4.80, 4.78]
10.2.2 Unclear or inadequate	3	267	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐2.93 [‐7.51, 1.65]
10.3 Pain at 3 months (adequate vs inadequate participant blinding)	8	523	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.16 [‐0.60, 0.29]
10.3.1 Adequate	7	498	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.00 [‐0.47, 0.47]
10.3.2 Unclear or inadequate	1	25	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.90 [‐1.91, 0.11]
10.4 Function at 3 months (adequate vs inadequate participant blinding)	8	502	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐1.86 [‐4.97, 1.25]
10.4.1 Adequate	6	437	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.23 [‐3.74, 3.29]
10.4.2 Unclear or inadequate	2	65	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐5.84 [‐10.98, ‐0.70]