ObjectiveTo explore the clinical outcome of alendronate in the treatment of bone marrow edema syndrome of the hip.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 8 cases (10 hips) of bone marrow edema syndrome of the hip treated with alendronate between December 2017 and January 2020 was conducted. Harris score and MRI exam of hip were used to assess the clinical and radiographical outcomes. Clinical cure rate and length of treatment period were used to evaluate whether alendronate was benefitial for the treatment of bone marrow edema syndrome of the hip.ResultsAll the cases were followed up for at least 3 months and got complete clinical data, the mean follow-up period was (5.2±1.2) months. Seven cases (9 hips) in 8 cases (10 hips) had clinical cure, with a clinical cure rate of 90%. The length of treatment period was 1 to 2 months with a mean value of (1.7±0.2) months. The Harris score increased from 57.8±6.3 before treatment to 98.6±1.0 at the last follow-up, and the difference was statistically significant (t=18.299, P<0.001). One case (1 hip) developed osteonecrosis of femoral head at one month after the initiation of alendronate therapy, who received continuous combination therapy of alendronate, calcium and aspirin, and no collapse or expansion of necrosis was found after 12 months follow-up.ConclusionsBone marrow edema syndrome of the hip is not a self-limiting disease completely, some patients maybe develop osteonecrosis of femoral head. Alendronate is benefitial for alleviating clinical symptom, accelerating bone edema disappearance, and shortening the course of disease.