I had CT surgery 12 years ago in my right wrist, and was told that my left would need it eventually - not so far! I wore a splint for the nine months I had to wait to see a specialist, (this was in the UK) and the first couple of months after was a little sore, but not as much as before the surgery.
I avoided too much handwork until after the two month period, then gradually started again. Within six months, it was as if I had not had a problem at all, and I haven't looked back.