SCOTS who suffer from fragile bone disease were today given hope of a near normal life following a medical breakthrough.
SCOTS who suffer from fragile bone disease were today given hope of a near normal life following a medical breakthrough.
Just one injection a year could dramatically cut their risk of major fractures - which often can lead to the patient's death - following ground-breaking trials.
Researchers claim that one jab of zoledronic acid a year will protect women victims of osteoporosis and avoid them having to take regular medication.
The new drug treatment takes 15 minutes to administer but scientists say it cuts the risk of hip fractures by almost half.
The results are based on three years of research involving almost 8000 women and have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Researchers claim the treatment resulted in a 70% reduction in fractures of the spine and a 41% reduction in hip breaks.
Professor Dennis Black from the University of California led the study and said the once-a-year treatment "appears to ensure that patients will have a full treatment effect for at least 12 months."
In contrast he said that many of those on oral medication "stop treatment, and most appear to be taking less than 80% of their prescribed pills by 12 months."
Osteoporosis affects one in two women and one in five men in the UK over the age of 50 and can lead to painful and debilitating broken bones in the hips, spine and wrists.
About 14,000 people die in the UK each year following a hip fracture, the National Osteoporosis Society said.
Drugs for the disease are normally given as pills that are taken daily or weekly.
Osteoporosis victim Iris Swain, 82, leads the members association of the National Osteoporosis Society.
She welcomed the breakthrough and said: "I am absolutely delighted that the once-a-year treatment is now a possibility. It can only be beneficial to women of all ages."
"Some people can't cope with the inconvenience of regular treatment so they give up but this would be perfect for them."
