Osteoporosis-related compression fractures usually become less painful with medicine and rest. It usually takes 3 months for them to heal. However, some can cause long-term problems. Osteoporosis medicines can prevent fractures in the future, but they cannot heal fractures that have already occurred. Osteoporosis should be treated before compression fractures develop. It usually takes 8 weeks for compression fractures caused by injuries to heal. If surgery is required, it could take much longer. The outcome of compression fractures caused by cancer depends on the type of cancer and how well it responds to treatment.