Narrator: Today 82-year-old Jean Brown lives an active, independent life. But about four years ago she suffered what can often be a major setback for seniors -- a hip fracture.

Jean Brown: Well I think I was very cocky and thought nothing’s ever going to happen to me. I wasn’t careful. I turned around too quickly, and down I went.

Narrator: While recovering from the surgery to fix her hip, Jean chose to enroll in a Duke study looking at the effectiveness of zoledronic acid in improving outcomes in patients 50 years and older after hip fracture. Researchers found that 9.6 percent of patients receiving the drug died in the year following the once-annual injection of the drug, compared to 13.3 percent of those not taking the drug -- a 28 percent reduction in death.

Kenneth Lyles, MD, Duke Geriatrician and Endocrinologist: Hip fractures are the most serious of the osteoporotic fractures because those fractures are associated within the year after the surgical repair of 15-25 percent mortality. So yes, we’re excited about this trial.

Narrator: Interestingly, researchers also think the time window for when the drug is given after hip repair surgery has a major impact on outcome.

Lyles: There appears to be a better effect on preventing the fractures after hip fracture if you get the drug six weeks or later after the surgical repair of the fracture.

Narrator: Jean says she fell again after her hip surgery and treatment but suffered no fractures.

Brown: I have fallen once since my both my hip and knee replacement. I knew I was going to fall, and I was pretty scared. I hit right at the base of my spine again. But I sat there for a few minutes, decided all was well, got up, and was on my way

Narrator: Doctors say the zoledronic acid findings are good news for folks like Jean who suffer hip fractures, as the prevention of subsequent fractures and improving longevity are key to keeping seniors back on their feet and active into the future. At Duke University Medical Center, I’m Mike Garrison.