I have hard plastic braces that were custom made for me about 13 years ago. I only wear them when I start having pain, numbness and tingling in my hands. I will wear them every night for a week or two and then wear them every other night for another couple of weeks and then I can go without them for a few months before I have to repeat the cycle. The first night I wear them is rough and I usually end up taking them off halfway through the night, but each night gets easier. Better than surgery in my opinion.