Smith 2003.

Methods	Randomised controlled trial 2‐arm parallel‐group design Trial duration: 24 weeks
Participants	77 participants with knee osteoarthritis were randomised 71 participants were reported at baseline Number of females: 27 out of 77 (35%) Mean age: 66.8 years
Interventions	Experimental intervention 120 mg methylprednisolone acetate following joint lavage, single intra‐articular injection Control intervention Treatment duration: 1 day Normal saline (no dosage) following joint lavage, single intra‐articular injection
Outcomes	Extracted pain outcome: WOMAC Pain Extracted function outcome: WOMAC Function Maximum follow‐up: 24 weeks
Notes	Funding: National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia) Arthritis Foundation of Australia
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Low risk	Quote: "Randomization was computer‐generated by a member of the hospital pharmacy department, who also prepared a blinded intra‐articular injection"
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Low risk	Quote: "Randomization was computer‐generated by a member of the hospital pharmacy department, who also prepared a blinded intra‐articular injection"
Blinding of participants?	Unclear risk	It was unclear if method used to blind participants was appropriate
Blinding of health care provider(s)	Unclear risk	It was unclear if method used to blind healthcare providers was appropriate
Intention‐to‐treat analysis performed? Pain	High risk	Quote: "In the event of relapse as defined above, the last documented outcome variables were carried forward". Still, 6 participants were excluded (those needing surgical intervention because of the arthroscopic findings at baseline)
Intention‐to‐treat analysis performed? Function	High risk	Quote: "In the event of relapse as defined above, the last documented outcome variables were carried forward". Still, 6 participants were excluded (those needing surgical intervention because of the arthroscopic findings at baseline)