The Effect of Alendronate on Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: knee osteoarthritis is a common degenerativejoint disorder and a major cause of pain and disability. recentstudies have suggested that bisphosphonates such as alendronatemay have a role in the treatment of osteoarthritis. thepurpose of the present study was to investigate the potentialeffect of alendronate on the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.methods: thirty nine patients with mild to moderate kneeosteoarthritis were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind,placebo-controlled trial with parallel-group design. the patientsreceived either placebo or alendronate pills (70mg,weekly) in a blinded fashion for six months. symptoms of osteoarthritiswere scored by western ontario and mcmasteruniversities (womac) osteoarthritis index at enrollment andat weeks 4, 12, and 24.results: in both groups there was a significant improvementin total womac score and womac subscales scores ofpain, stiffness, and function at 4, 12, and 24 weeks of treatment.maximum improvement occurred at week 4. there wasno statistically significant difference between the two groupsregarding their total womac score and its subscales at theend of weeks 4, 12, or 24 (p=0.94).conclusion: alendronate does not reduce symptoms of mildto moderate knee osteoarthritis.