My husband had problems with both hands, saw the specialist, did the tests, said he had to have surgery on both hands. I asked what would happen if he didn't. He said they will only get worse and eventually he wouldn't be able to stand the pain.
Cardio wouldn't clear him for surgery. Family doc prescribed braces. He wore them day/night for 6 months. Hands no longer hurt, no pain in wrist and hasn't had to wear the braces now for years. He has never since had any symptoms. In his case, even though the doc said otherwise, surgery was not the answer.
DAle