A short term controlled release composition which comprises poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) cross-linked alendronate (PLGA-ALN) is provided. The PLGA-ALN is constructed into 3D scaffolds (PLGA-ALN-3D) with pores size of 150-300 μm and average porosity of 85%, or microspheres (PLGA-ALN-M) with 50-100 μm in diameter. The released alendronate concentration is in the range of 5×10−7 M to 5×10−8 M.