Oral dosage forms of bisphosphonate compounds, such as zoledronic acid, can be used to treat or alleviate arthritis. Although an oral dosage form with enhanced bioavailability with respect to the bisphosphonate compound can be used, the treatment can also be effective using an oral dosage form that includes a bisphosphonate compound, such as zoledronic acid, wherein the bioavailability of the bisphosphonate is unenhanced, or is substantially unenhanced. Specifically, there is use of zoledronic acid in the manufacture of a medicament for treating arthritis pain in a human being in need thereof, wherein the medicament is formulated for administration as an oral dosage form, wherein the medicament is formulated such that the human being receives a total amount of about 40 mg to about 600 mg of zoledronic acid, and wherein the medicament is formulated such that the human being experiences pain relief that lasts for a duration of at least 48 hours, and wherein the medicament is formulated such that the human being receives zoledronic acid no more often than once daily.
