15 patients who were undergoing revision total hip replacement were randomized to receive a morcellised compacted bone allograft rinsed in either a bisphosphonate solution or in a saline solution. After 3 months, the bone mineral density of the saline patients decreased significantly, and then levelled off. In contrast, bone density increased in the first 3 months after surgery before levelling off in the bisphosphonate patients. The two groups differed significantly in change in bone density, but not in bone mineral content and area of the region of interest, at every follow up assessment over 24 months.