TABLE 5.

Signal/noise quotient values of the tibial and femoral ends in the normal saline group

Postoperative time	Tibial end	Femoral end	P‐value *
3 months	9.81 ± 2.84	12.51 ± 5.30	0.00
6 months	12.26 ± 4.26	18.32 ± 5.42	0.00
12 months	10.41 ± 7.50	15.82 ± 3.71	0.00
P‐value †	0.01	0.00

^* P < 0.05 indicates a statistically significant difference in signal/noise quotient values between the tibial and femoral ends.

^† P < 0.05 indicates a statistically significant difference in signal/noise quotient values at 6 months after surgery compared with the corresponding at 3 and 12 months after surgery.